Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman lawn mower ignition problem, craftsman lawn mower, craftsman 917

Question
QUESTION: HI, I have a Craftsman 917.387780 7hp lawn mower that won't start. I get no
spark at the plug. I tested the existing plug from the mower as well as a plug
from a working mower. Both plugs showed spark on the working mower but
not on the Craftsman in question. I purchased a new coil, installed is as
instructed, and still no spark. The mower was given to me by a neighbor. It
has very few hours on it. It appears that the mower hit something because
the blade was bent when he gave it to me. I was able to bend the blade back
in shape. I cleaned the carb which now seems to be working fine. The engine
turns easily and there seems to be no internal binding resulting from the
blade mishap. I removed the fly wheel and the key is in good shape. I have
successfully repaired mowers in the past but this one is giving me fits. Any
suggestions would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Just how did you adjust the new coil, use a business card between the coil, and flywheel magnets for the correct gap. Is there any rust on the flywheel magnets? Try unplugging the tiny single wire from it and check for spark, that wire is the one that the safeties, and such ground out, with it unplugged you'll over ride all safeties for the purpose of testing. .........Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, gapped properly and ground wire disconnected. Still no spark.
What else could be causing the problem? Thanks for you help.

Gary

Answer
Only 2 things now could cause the problem at this point. 1. The flywheel magnets, or coil pick-up is rusty and not letting the signal pass. If it's a new coil as mentioned then it can only be on the flywheel portion. 2. I have seen this just 2 times in the past, a bad flywheel, the magnets sometime lose their strength.......Tom