[THEFERMANATOR]

Start off by disconnecting the shut-off grounds, ignition switch's do go bad on JOHNNY-RUDES(or just about any of em). Also check the flywheel magnets to see if they have come loose. The 35 amp flywheel had the magnet problems. Hopefully you can get access to a peak reading volt meter if the ground doesn't do it. The mag used on these requires a peak reading volt meter to properly diagnose them. You should have around 200-225 volts AC coming out of the stator to the packs at cranking speed. And at least 125 to the coils is what my book says. Although my looper only gets 75 at cranking speed(new everything too), but has 150 at idle.

Do you have a picture of the carbs? I can't really tell that well, but it looks like you may have 200HP carbs. And yep, that's a looper. I'll bet she's better on fuel than your 175 is, I know my 140 looper uses about 2/3rds the fuel my 115 cross-flow does.