Mark,
Thank you for your quick reply. The links to which you directed me concern cleaning the carburetor and making sure the air filter is not impeding the flow of air. I have done these things; however, the motor continues to surge. It is possible, despite my best efforts, that there is something lodged in one of the small holes that permeate the carburetor and that I have not been able to clean out. I have taken the carburetor apart as far as it can be done and I have sprayed every hole and I have soaked every part in carburetor cleaner; however, after I put it all together and reattach it to the mower, the surging problem persists. Is it possible that in a 26 year-old mower, there could be some other explanation for the problem? Could there be some internal component in the engine itself that may explain the surging?
Getting a new carburetor for a 26 year-old mower is not an option because of the expense -- about $200. I might as well buy a new mower. For the price of a new carburetor, I could be half-way to a very good new mower.
Thanks,
ajp