Hi Josh84,
I can shed a little light on things for you. The motor side plate you refer to is the exhaust box which vents to underneath the engine base plate. The 274 just means it is a two stroke (2), and a model 74 (74)(there is a model 87 as well) I have some details on these engines somewhere around my paper jungle which I will dig up for you. I imagine the mower itself could be quite rare. The starter mech. on top: I have a few starter cups if thats all you needed I could post one.
More info for you later, check out some of my prior posts there might be some thing there for you.
I have a craftsman off vccomm with one of those 274 on it and its a dynamite machine...just need a catcher too!
John
