OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Quantum XTL 45 Cat - Hard to start and shakey

My first attempt at a valve adjustment on a flathead Briggs and Stratton side-valve motor.
Biggest surprise was it started first pull, after 5 x pumps on the primer bulb, although it still has the shakes, it started without "Start you bastard" down it's throat.
Left it for about 3 hours and it started again on 2nd pull.
Still have to check the blade to see if it, or the driveshaft are bent, but inital "hard to start" problem seems to be sorted. Thank you.
So, let me say,a big "Thank you" to bigted, vccomm, Gadge and AVB for your assistance and input with regards to these issues.
vccomm, carbie gaskets and all seem to be good now after replacing and no fuel leaks.
Gadge, looking at the cyclinder, it appears in reasonable condition.
bigted, I eventually got the inlet valve out and filed it down. Seemed like the pushrod was also sticking to the valve making it harder to get the feeler gauge in to check, but ended up with clearance maxing the 0.007" limit (or slightly over with a tight 0.008"). Clearance on the exhaust valve is noiw showing more around 0.010" without touching it. Close for my first attempt at this. Compression test now reading around 77 psi, which is up around 40 psi after valve filing. Good advice. Thank you.
AVB, I don't have the suction tool for lapping, so it was put back together without doing this. I did consider using toothpaste, which is like a mild abrasive, to do this, but cleaned the edges of the valve head with a small toothbrush size wire brush. Re-used the existing head gasket, and looking at the carbon build-up on it, it really should be replaced, which could increase compression further.
Photos attached of compression test to help others understand what the difference can be.
Thank you all for your assistance.
Regards
Daryl