fin_reaper

I initially pulled the flywheel to check the alternator - I kept blowing diodes.  Apparently I didn't torque the fw enough.  Rule #728: Don't forget to torque yee flywheel  :-)

I got it!  The flywheel key sheared and the fw spun 90*, and I couldn't see it.  Runs like a champ now.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Q- Is it possible the the bowl vent is plugged?----   not allowing air into the top of the carb bowl? 
A- The bowl vent is free flowing.  I've got the air cleaner Assembly off.  I can actually see a small amount of fuel come out of that hole from the vibrations when it's rough idling.

Q-Is it possible the carb Gasket between the two halves is on upside down----   not allowing the air to the nozzel hole of the main Jet?
A- It's on correctly.  I made sure all of the ports were visible when the gasket was put on.  If it was on incorrectly, fuel wouldn't be able to travel from the diaphragm fuel pump into the bowl.

Q- can you post a picture or two?

A- see below.

Q-how was this thing running before you started working on it?

A- I mowed about half my lawn (1 acre), then shut it down to talk to my son.  I couldn't get it restarted because of a bad starter (cracked magnet).  I replaced the starter and still had difficulty starting so I replaced the spark plugs, choke cable (original was seized from the winter) and replaced a burned out diode for the charging circuit.  After all of this, I couldn't get it to run without being choked.  I pulled the flywheel to check the alternator (diode issue) and checked the magneto.  I set the magneto gap to 0.012" after I tightened down the flywheel.

After this the engine wouldn't run faster than an idle while choked.  I checked compression then dove into the carburetor.  The temp of both exhaust pipes are hot several seconds after starting, telling me both cylinders are firing.

Thanks

I don't have a fuel shutoff solenoid.  Gravity feed from my tank to my new fuel filter/fuel line; good free flowing fuel to the carb.  New gas, no water.  Fuel bowl is filling properly, so the diaphragm pump is working properly.  I can see raw  fuel gurgling out of the jet while it is 'running', as Friiy described above.

I pulled the intake manifold off to check the valve operation in each cylinder - just because I am at a loss...  Good vacuum at each head when the starter is engaged.

Thanks for the replies.

I pulled the carb again and swabbed each port/nozzle with an appropriate sized copper wire.  No change...  It will just idle, while I jog the choke from 80-100% closed.   I'm at a loss.