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Mel, the compression should be around 80 psi [hot with choke & throttle open]..The problem with those specs is your starting problem is cold & 1st time over. ~Do the hot compression test, but also do a cold one time over test to see what you have. Obviously the more you have the first time over cold the better it will start. ~The valve clearance is .015" hot. Just get the engine hot, pull the valve cover, rotate the engine until both valves are completely closed on one cylinder & set them to .015", then do the same for the other cylinder. ~Now on your starting problem...First make sure your mag is snapping [clicking] as you turn the flywheel over cold [if it isn't you have probably found your problem] ~If the mag is snapping good at hand cranking speeds you are probably fighting a compression or carb problem. ~Things to check... ~Is the carb choke closing completely? ~Are the carb throttle shaft bushings tight on the shaft? [if it's leaking air into the carb at the bushings it won't pull fuel from the carb jets properly at hand cranking speeds] ~Is you mag snapping as the L/H impulse on the flywheel lines up with the case mark? [at 3 o'clock directly behind the flywheel] ~Are you using solid metal core plug wires & not automotive TVRS carbon core wires [that makes a big difference in starting on a mag equipped 2-cylinder Deere] ~Ok, now things to try for better starting... ~Try setting the carb needles to 2 turns out from seated for the idle needle & 1 turn out from seated for the load needle. ~Try opening the spark plug gap to about .033" ~Try advancing the mag timing about 3/8" by turning the top of the mag to the rear until the mag snaps about 1/4"-3/8" before the L/H impulse lines up with the case. [if the flywheel kicks back while starting back it off slightly] ~Try different throttle settings for starting [most of my H's over the years like almost NO throttle for starting, just off the stop pin] ~Try different choke settings for starting...full choke for once over, then 7/8 choke for once or twice more, then 1/2 choke for a couple more, basically try different combinations [those 2-cylinders can be fickle on their starting procedures] ~Make sure you are using FRESH gasoline [the old stuff doesn't ignite easily] ~If nothing works so far, leave the spark plugs in & take an old [known good] spark plug & open the gap to 3/16", then install that plug in one plug wire at a time, then lay it on the block & hand crank the engine, you need a blue spark to jump that 3/16" gap multiple times in a row for that engine to start reliably. [if you have a weak spark you have probably found your problem]. ~If nothing helps so far, try putting a little 2-cycle oil in the gasoline as that can help the rings seal a little better at hand cranking speeds. ~If you have a low compression problem you can try the 2-cycle oil in the gas & also try turning the flywheel until just before compression, then get another hold of the flywheel & turn it through compression fairly briskly. The faster it gets over compression the less can leak off.....
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