(quoted from post at 04:30:26 05/03/19) A quick check for fuel availability, remove the coil wire from the distributor and ground it. Remove the air cleaner hose from the carb. Hold your hand tightly over the air inlet of the carb, crank the engine through. You should get a strong, steady vacuum. No vacuum, or intermittent vacuum/blowing is indication of valve problems.
Your hand should be wet with gas. No gas, either no gas in the carb bowl, or the main jet is clogged.
Like K.Campbell said, with the fuel valve open, plenty of fuel in the tank, remove the drain plug, be ready to catch the flow in a clean glass.
It should flow a full stream, then slow to a trickle as the bowl empties. If it slows to a drip, or stops flowing, there is not enough fuel getting into the carb bowl.
There should be a screen in the fuel inlet fitting at the carb, be sure it is clean.
Look at what was caught in the glass. If it's cloudy, there is water in the tank. If dirty, rust chunks, the tank is contaminated and will need to be removed and rinsed out with E85. Whatever is in the glass will also be in the carb. It may need to be eased apart and cleaned out. Not necessarily a kit, just carefully open it, try not tear the gasket, clean it out with spray cleaner.
Also be sure the gas cap is vented. Be sure the choke is closing fully.
Be sure the air cleaner is clean and free of mud dobber nests, mouse nests. There is also a wire mesh inside the canister that is commonly overlooked. If severely clogged it will have to be removed and washed or replaced. Not easy, but has to be done occasionally.
