Problems with the L

1. It will only pop once in a while when I crank. It doesn't seem to matter where the timing (adv/ret lever) is, and the choke seems to only make a very slight difference. I see the puffs of smoke coming out of the exhaust when cranking, but rarely does it pop. When it does pop, it will only pop once, never giving me hope of running (like two pops would). I have timed it the best I could, but figure it is still a little off, but I figure I should get at least 2 pops out of it. Any ideas?

Secondly, is there a fix for making my arms the same length like they used to be? It seems that after cranking it with my right it has stretched at least 4 inches. (lol)

On my Case LA (same engine) I find top dead center compression on Number 1 then put a mark on the crank pulley and the engine block to mark this. Then turn engine backwards and mark it about 1.5 inches from first mark. Then set advance to full. this 30 degrees BTDC. now set yoyr mag to this point to fire. when you ghet it running you can then use a timing light to check your timing using the same mark and with advance full on.
Walt

On my L, when the timing is right and the carb is right, it always starts on the second pull (first one to suck the mixture in to the engine)

I would love to pull start, but I don't have the area to do it, given that it has steel wheel with spikes (and the city wouldn't want me any where near their road).