I have some of the same issues. Mine is not stiff with the plugs out. I have good compression.

Try this site for manuals.
http://www.vintagesnow.com/John_Deere.html

Henry

Sounds like similar issues that I had. I have not had time to mess with mine.
this site helped me. Good Luck Henry S.

http://www.vintagesnow.com/John_Deere.html

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