john Deere z465... cranks but no start.. help !!!

I bought a z465 mower with the 25 hp kawasaki engine. Pulled it out this year and will not start... put in new plugs, fresh gas, new fuel filter, new ignition switch, new battery, fuses are good, took off the carb and cleaned it... it will crank just fine but will never start.. I can put a small amount of starting fluid in the intake it it will start for a few seconds and die out (don't need the 'it's not good" for your engine lecture, I'm aware ). I have a couple questions...
1) when I...

john Deere z465... cranks but no start.. help !!!