Actually, the jetting seems fine. I got this mower from a guy who was going to toss it several years ago. It had this issue where it would cut out, or not start at all..... Being a gearhead, I knew it was the coil so I relieved him of the mower and put a new coil on. That mower was the first thing that got moved to my current house. I took it there before the papers were even signed, as I wanted the lawn to look nice when we bought it. I did end up pulling it down about 2 years ago, as the ubiquitous leaky seal reared its head. It also got all new bearings, rings, gaskets, and wheels. The carb works fine, so I never opened it up. The only thing I did not replace is the piston, and there is a little slap now. I need to get one before that one breaks. Anyway, I am rambling.
The only "issue" is probably just a governor one. Usually, when I pulll the throttle back, the engine RPM will remain constant, or slightly decrease. When cold, it seems to idle alright. Once I mow with it, it seems to stay at a higher idle RPM. It does NOT have an air leak. Maybe a sticky air vane? Who knows? Now I have seen the videos on YouTube of the re-jetted Duraforce sitting there putting at idle, and I want my 4.5 to do that. I am ruined. I'll be ordering jets for my newly-acquired DuraForce, so I thought I might just order a handfull. Now I need to find a variable speed DuraForce, as this single speed drive will quickly irritate me.