This puppy is my work horse. Running good (a bit of a back fire as of late when throttling down for a shift) until I crossed the creek the other day (live off the grid on a mining site), winched it up at a steep grade and continued on my way home (a couple of miles ) and got almost there then a drastic power loss and complete stoppage. Pushed it home and waited until the next day to tackle the problem. Got a spark off the plug but installed a new Champion but can’t get it to run/start without the thumb throttle at full. Back off and it dies and never will achieve a respectable RPM. Checked the fuel from tank and A-OK. I don’t mind buying a new carb, or whatever it needs. I have noticed a build up of sluggy oil/dust on the cyclinder housing below the head so thinking maybe a blown head gasket. Soooo….if it it’s a head gasket (which I’m leaning towards) I suppose maybe a complete re-build but I’d rather wait until winter for a project like that. I also am pondering a valve/timing problem but from running strong to gutless I tend to rule that out. What’da ya think????