Loosely figure out how much rope you need to get out to the handle/cowl, mark it. The plastic pulley/rope hosing has a notch in it. I have found it easier to fish the rope threw the pulley with no tension on spring. Push/fish the other end out the hole in the re-coil housing. By putting the rope into that notch you can turn the pulley winding the spring with out the rope bucking the system. Make sure you have enough wrap on spring for it to want to pull your length mark into recoil. Pull some of the rope out, fold it in half and tie a loose knot with folded section. Knot will stop rope from going to far as well as make it easier to fish rope threw out to cowling. If your not familiar with route look for tell tale shiney spots where rope has ben rubbing.