i have had many problem with that and i'm think about a pull start - i don't see what the difference is going to be though, anyway i drilled a hol in the back plate so that when it free spins i spray some wd40 - brake cleaner and wait (blow on it ) and its good o ya i place a hole in the bottom...
Nice ok same problem as you with sarting the truck stalling so what you said should help, but my trouble is little more bad... My truck a 4.1 thats runs great, so i went out and bought a spur gear 52, think for more responce, but i never got the truck started when i place it, in OWB trouble...