It's an obsolete part: 0312832. #16 in the carb diagram:
http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E...d-90f446a416f4. Drill down to your yr/hp/model, and check the carb parts blowup.
You might see if you can pull off the rubber piece that appears to be added, and try to do a link and sync.
Interesting, So I just cleaned the cam and saw the mark (thanks to you and leeroys ramblings)
The throttle opened about a little bit before the mark. Anyway, I did the adjustment, and now the butterfly begins to open exactly at that mark. Very cool. Honestly, I never even considered link and sync.
Also, if you saw in my OP, I originally disassembled the fuel pump (mistake) and didnt reassemble it properly. After much googling and photos, I finally thought I got it right. Then a plate was off. Fixed that, Well, that only COMPLETELY disabled the motor from getting fuel.
I know this pump should be good (its in great shape), so I sat down, saw Leeroys ramblings has a great page on it. PROPERLY re-assembled it 100%. His test of "blowing through the inlet" before and after was the confirmation I needed.
Long story short, FUEL PUMP IS GOOD (again)! No more hand pumping. Another goose chase I got myself in. But, thats sometimes the price of liking to take things apart and learn.
So after all this, yesterday, it wouldnt start. Frustrated, I took the carb off again. Its clean as a whistle (I soaked it overnight weeks ago, rebuilt it, blah blah). Well I sprayed it again and all is well now. Starts up and runs like it did before the fuel pump issue. Maybe the jacked up fuel pump clogged the carb up again, or maybe it was just flooded good. I dunno.
Long story short, the last issue I can think of is changing the lower unit oil (and seals) and the rest is just tuning and dotting my i's and crossing my t's. Getting the idle right etc.
This place is invaluable as well as leeroys site. Thanks to all so far.