I very much appreciate all the thoughts, I've gotten her open and with shop manual in hand did take a good look at the choke -- It *did* seem stuck, and a little gumout and clean towels later she's not stickin'. Still may have other problems but weather and family life will clear this weekend and I'll give a more detailed report..
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The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. -John Buchan