Mower won't start reliably

[Sf_hippie]

Hello,
I am in need of some help. I have a mower that my dad gave me because it stopped working. I figured I could learn about small engines and it would give me something to do so I'm not staying at work for 15 hours a day. Anyway... The mower has a b&s 22hp (407577 0284e1). It was pretty dirty when I got it so I cleaned it up as best I could with some degresasser and a toothbrush. I replaced the battery and it started, only there was a problem. It backfired through the carburetor. So I found out it threw a pushrod in the engine. So I took the engine apart got the rod out and checked the cam which looked good. I replaced the one head. I am now at present time. The lawnmower will start occasionally, but it won't stay running. Most of the time it just cranks. There is pressure from the oil filler tube thing so idk of that's related. I set the calves to .004. I tried to do a compression test and it just reads 0 when cranking. It did decide to start when I had the compression gauge connected to the head that didn't get replaced and it read 90ish.

So far I've replaced battery, sparkplugs, and a head. Any help where I should go from here?

 

[Sf_hippie]

Sorry forgot to mention. It will occasionally start with starting fluid and I removed the carb and cleaned it up with starting fluid. When I disconnect the fuel line from the carb and crank it gas squirts out. Not a lot, but it does.

 

[dfbroxy]

I would check the fuel shut off silinoid on the bottom of the carb is working properly. And check that the choke butterfly is closing all the way. BTW dont use starting fluid on a mower engine, it can do major damage. Use carb cleaner or a spoonful of gas. Keep us posted.

 

[sgkent]

what the last post said and,

run the compression test again. If one cylinder has -0- then something is wrong there which needs to be dealt with. Carb should always be open when running compression test, and both plugs out.