Manual starter with ignition spark retard

A manual starter is provided for an internal combustion engine including a drive member mounted for rotation and operable to start the engine when rotated. The starter includes a flexible pull element mounted for movement between a normally retracted position and an extended position, a mechanism for drivingly engaging the drive member when the flexible pull element is pulled to the extended position, and a retracting mechanism for returning the pull element from the extended position to the retracted position. The starter also includes a guide roller mounted for rotation and in frictional contact with the flexible pull element, and a mechanism responsive to rotation of the guide roller for retarding ignition spark timing as the flexible pull element moves toward the extended position, and for not retarding ignition spark timing as the flexible pull element moves toward the retracted position..