Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): My old turner lawn mower., briggs and stratton, head gasket

Question
i found a old mower on the verge and i want to fix it. the previous owner removed the starter, and there is only a round housing with teeth all around the inside. wat kind of starter did it use to have?
can u suggest anything i can do to fix it? and it is blowing air out of the carburettor, and there is evidence that the head cover has bin taken off. if it is alrit but i still remove it, do i need to replace the head gasket?

Answer
The older engines used an asbestos clad gasket, so they could normally be re-used.  As far as what engine you had, it is hard to say without seeing it, as with a real old mower, the engine
may even be a Clinton, but it sounds like an older Briggs and Stratton.