Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Point gap on Honda G 200 utility engine., point gap, air gap

Question
Hello Sir,
I have a nice used 5 horse flat head, air cooled engine that I had running a couple times before and after a tune up but is now as hard to start as ever.
The coil gap to the flywheel(inside) seems fixed but I can adjust the points which are set to about .020"and I have spark. Someone said that the wrong point gap is equivalent to wrong timing. Is this true??

Answer
Hello Kenneth,

In answer to your question, yes I'd agree that the incorrect point gap is similar to timing.

There is a specification for the setting of the gap between the stator and the flywheel, and in order for the stator to function properly it must be correct.  It is common for the stator air gap to be set for .010".  You can ask your dealer for the correct air gap on your machine.

With a no-start condition, the first check is:
Is the Gas fresh?
Is the carburetor set properly? Does it need service?

Are the fuel lines clear (unkinked), is the fuel able to reach the carb?

Do you have a wet spark? Or do you have a dry spark?
After going through this set of check you may be closer to solving your problem.

Hope that this info helps you with your problem.

Regards,
Howard