If you have to use the choke constantly, there is an air leak at the intake gaskets more than likely.
Thanks Auto Doc's. I'll look at those gaskets next week. After I start the engine cold, I have to advance the choke to full open very, very slowly. Over about a 5-10 minute period as I'm mowing. If I do it too quickly,it runs rough and will eventually stall. Once it gets good and hot under heavy mowing load, it allows full open choke.
To answer slomow.... I too thought thirsty but if so wouldn't she crank easily after only sitting a minute or 2?
Old filter was needed to toss as some junk came out when back flushing.
The only gas cans I use are the Justrite 5 Gallon Type II Red Safety Gas Can for Gasoline with Flame Arrester, Self-Closing Lid, and 1" Flexible Metal Spout, Made in the USA, Galvanized Steel Flammable Storage Can, 7250130. I had allowed, unknowingly, the fill tube to become filled with grass from some sort of wasp nest. It got in the fuel tank and slowly worked its way into the black plastic pickup tube. This was my original fail. I had replaced two filters and found crud out of them when back-flushing. Started using a big metal funnel with a fine screen to filter gas after that.
Changed the pump as I kept having stall issues after ~20 minute mow. checked all the tubing by pulling a small vacuum.
Yes I kept the old coils and old carb which looked pretty new inside (I use Seafoam in summer and Marine Stabil in gas during long months not used. I do not use ethanol free gas. Unfortunately, I do not know how to "test" some parts.
I had suspected the gas cap being not breathing but found it clear.
I do regular oil changes (50hrs), air filter, tranny fluid, and yes, the air ports running down thru the engine are clean.
It's just the twichy nature of the choke setting. This afternoon, I mowed near a full tank of gas by slowly advancing the choke over ~10 minutes while mowing full power. Strangely, it never missed a beat. All this choke business began after replacing the carb. I have not the pay grade to rebuild the carb. Got a brand X from AMZN.