Dont need to spend anything.
Dont need the cable to fix it, or see if its fixable.
Some of the older had a friction throttle that didnt need a cable, just had a red plastic knob on the throttle lever. If it wont stay put just use a cable off anything.
Ive got a short one off a Rover Mulch Shredder that i use.
You could use one off anything, some of the old Rovers used a spring steel metal clip to hold the cable to the handle, one of them will hold the control end to stop it flopping about if it wont meet up with the screw holes in the handle.
Check the spark. If thats good you need to look elsewhere.
Most of them ive pulled the head off have had those laminated graphite gasktets so i tend to avoid removing the head if i can.
If it wont go, do a compression test. 70psi or so is good, it will run and run OK. Might even run with less.
Pull the carb off and clean it out, blow it out, id suggest a can of carb cleaner.
Most common problem ive found with the Tecumseh motors is the carb just clags up. Put it down to time and not having a fuel tap. Any water in the tank settles in the carb.
Parts are not easy to get for them but it seems that one thing thats real easy to find are the new bulbs for the primer on the carb. Theres two sorts, with hole and without.
Then while the carb is off mainfold off, muffler off and check the valve clearances (if the compression is sad)
Should be able to fix it.
