Almost impossible to pull starter cord

[docrocky]

KennyG: No, we did not do anything to the piston or cylinder since they were in excellent shape. The pull was difficult even before we got started on the "redo", basically no change. Like I mentioned before, with the plug removed, it pulls with ease. I see reasonable spark, Have tried starting fluid both in the cylinder as well as thru the carb. Also a small bolus of gasoline into the cylinder, but still no success. I even tried the cordless drill with a make shift rubber clutch against the housing of the recoil/flywheel, but it can not overcome the resistance that the cord pull can deliver.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I am not sure about Tecumseh but most of the larger single cilinder engines have an automatic compression release. It is usually on the camshaft and opens the exhaust valve early to release some of the compression so you can crank it.
Bill