Hi Vistabob,

You need to confirm beyond any doubt these things:
- spark, pull out the plug and see if it gives a good bright spark. Get a new sparkplug anyway.
- timing of the spark. If the flywheel has slipped its position from a sheared key on the crankshaft, the timing has shifted. Some motors have adjustable timing others dont.
- compression, you need to have at least 60 psi compression. Get a guage to check.
- gas. fresh, clean gasoline with NO WATER. Remove all the gas from the tank. Remove all the gas from the carb bowl put it in a glass or plastic container and look for water in the gas. There is a problem if you got water in it. Get new gas.
So, timing/spark/compression/gas it should start.

Tim

Depending upon year of motor, it could have points and condenser style ignition. These points need cleaned, set to proper gap, and or replaced from time to time. Gotta love solid state ignition! REJ2.

If have flywheel magnet problem there not available I have one that magnet have slipped the old glue turn a loose. I have 2 troy bilt horses had to get new engine was for go-cart overhead valve 6 hp very strong as 8 hp flathead. You should check kill switch wire first unplug it to see if shorted out here a link to your engine its long download but will go into notepad with copy paste.

Here is a link that might be useful: troy built 2.48 mb