Husqvarna 385xp mystery backfire

[david newbie]

I acquired most of a 385 recently, I found a starter for it, and tried priming it a couple times. I had removed the muffler to check the piston (decent) and put a little fuel in the carb throat. It wouldn't pop ar start up, Put I think I saw what seems like small explosions ( flashes of light) and occasionally it seems like it backfired out the carb. I later noticed the coil gap was too tight so I reset it and tried again, Sane thing, would really fire and backfired out the carb. I havent pulled the flywheel yet

 

[L34]

fly wheel key?

 

[david newbie]

fly wheel key?

I guess the first thing is to pull the flywheel and check?

 

[J D]

I guess the first thing is to pull the flywheel and check?

Yup.
Next thing I'd consider is the coil