Let me start off by saying I learned a lot about lawn mower carburetors from this post. Thank you all. In the end, I may have been able to clean mine, but ended up buying a brand new carburetor for ONLY $19!!!! I emptied the old gas and cleaned the gas tank. I also got a set of new gaskets, and now the mower runs just fine. I don't have a tachometer to check the speed, but it sounds similar to the old carb. Its really tough getting to the adjustment screw behind the air filter and another hose that sites in front of it. Thanks again for all the info.

That cap screw is common on many AYP/Electrolux/Craftsman lawn tractors with manual transmission. I believe it is 1/4-28 x 1/2 long. I'm not sure why it needs to be a Grade 8. You should be able to get commercial hardware (Grade 5 or better) and use as a substitute. You can also use Loctite on the threads if you can't find with Nyloc patch. Suggest you get commercial hardware (1/2" and 3/4") just to cover your bases and secure with Loctite. In meantime order the correct part and you should be able to easily replace at a later date. Factory part number 74550412 is broadly available on Web for about $3.00.

I guess I'm the Dad in this case! I do remember having an el cheapo power mower (person propelled) when I was a kid (red and perhaps Western Auto) and using it for everything - a field at the rear of the house comes to mind... one day it was 3 feet high, the next it was "lawn". Anyway, everyone is always dumping on Craftsman tools and power equipment. I'm still using my Craftsman Eager One, 5HP, Tecumseh engine, that I purchased in 1984. I don't recall it ever failing to start except when the switch I installed to replace the dead-man handle died. It smokes, uses oil, but still cuts better than my $500 Troy-Bilt. At the beginning of the summer, I ran over a rock and bent the blade so that it was actually digging into the ground. Had to replace the blade plate and blade, but didn't faze the crankshaft or the upper crankshaft shear pins. The only maintenance I've ever done is occasionally replace the air filter, less occasionally replace the spark plug (do clean it annually), and change the oil. I think it is coming to the end of its long life and really hate the thought of getting rid of it. It really needs a total engine rebuild (chassis, etc. is still fine - no rust but lots of scrapes), but I just don't have the abilities. JimC

Yup, it will work. You can adjust the height of the reel. I remember my husband having a face palm moment after we bought a reel mower, because he used to mow his tiny townhouse yard with a string trimmer. The reel mower is a much better choice. We used our reel mower just to get into the small grassy areas immediately around our house, using a riding mower to take care of the remaining acreage.