[lelshaddai]

I have a 62 544 with a 69 B20 engine. Recently it has developed a hard start problem. It seems like the timing is off and it has too much compression. However that does not seem to be timing since I tried setting it advanced and retard and neither helped. This happens only when cold(first start after sitting awhile) after it warms up it starts right up. It quickly sucks the life from the battery. I recently had to install an electric fuel pump to help with starting. I use it as a prime and then turn it off once it is running. I have a new starter that I could install but in looking at the uninstall/install I would rather make sure it is a starter problem, since the process seems to be labor intensive. Does this indicate a starter issue?
Thoughts?