Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): raftsman 917.387300 mower - Tecumseh 6hp, pawl, flywheel

Question
Filled up with gas and went to pull cord, would only turn abot 1/4 to 1/2 and then stopped abruptly. Tried again, and only heard spinning sound (flywheel?) - met with much less resistance upon pulling the cord than ever before... Something is spinning when I pull the cord, but there seems to be no connection to engine anymore, as there is no resistance, no hint of the engine trying to turn over or spark. Mower worked just fine about 4 months ago -kept in garage - no other problems except carburetor leaks.

Answer
First thing is to remove the starter and see that it's in one piece.  Often the pawl on the starter are broken or stuck.  The starter can be removed either by removing the screws just for the starter, or if it's riveted to the flywheel shroud, by removing the entire shroud.  Let me know what you find and we can go from there.  Thanks, PK.