Lawn mower engine help

[fuzeman]

I was fiddling with my Uncle's lawn mower, a Craftsman self propelled push mower. The primer bulb disintegrated and was replaced. Shortly after it stopped running and I think it was junk in the fuel that clogged part of the fuel system near the carb.
I took off the brass screw that held the bowl under the carb and it has a few small holes in it, I assume to let the fuel get sucked up into the actual carb and then mixed with the air. That's where I assume the blockage to be.
I inserted a small metal probe to remove said bloackage and when reassembled it did start and run.
Problem is this. I put enough fuel in it to cut maybe 1/2 our lawn but it ran dry much before that and I am wondering if I opened a 'jet' or fuel nozzle to much with my probing.
Should I just buy another one of the brass things I fiddled with? I didn't see that exact thing listed in the parts listing and the exploded view of it lists the carb as an assembly.

Engine model number is 143 434092 on a Sears Craftsman model #917.378270

Thanks for any help

Edit- oops Lawm corrected to Lawn.

[dmf]

You have a craftsman mower? I'm so sorry Replace the whole carburator, they say if the carb is attached to the gas tank replace that too.

[101ABN]

doesnt craftsman have a life time guarentee?? or is it just tools... well if the same goes for lawnmowers, take it to SEARS and they should swap it out.. not too sure, let me know how it goes.

[Dago]

Tell your uncle to buy a new carb that is attached to a differant make lawnmower.  

[Wolf14]

Try changing the air filter if you havent alreeady. I have a craftsman mulcher mower with 6.5 horse B&S. I was going through a tank of gas pretty quick and fouling plugs until I changed the air filter.

Now I can get both my front and back yard mowed with 1.5 tanks of gas and no fouled plugs.

[rpm]

Craftsman mowers are good equiptment. If it's running, I'd say it's worth putting a few $$$ into it. You might look for a service manual and get the specs for that carb.

[fuzeman]

1) Carb is not attached directly to the gas tank. Only connection is the fuel line.

2) Pretty sure that's only with tools. I once couldn't get a lug not off so I used a craftsmen tool and bent it. They replaced it NQA.

3) I kind of used 'Uncle's' inappropriately, he passed away in January 2005. You didn't know and it's ok.

4) I figured someone would say this and I have to. It is an old one. But the change was rapid. The previous time it didn't suck gas like a Hummer and the last time it did. Tomorrow is air filter replacement day.

5) I agree, it sure seems like a good mower exxcept the no throttle control thing. That always bugged me.

Thanks for the advice. Mr typetoomuch will keep you informed.

[mietla]

just get one of those

[Wolf14]

Fuze mine doesnt have throttle control either and like yourself, I wasnt to sure about it, but mine seems to run strong in all heights of grass.

[Jackal1]

Berryman B12 Chemtool. Strip it, soak it, replace it.