Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman lawn mower wont run, craftsman lawn mower, adjustment screw

Question
Hi, I have a craftsman push lawn mower whose enging model number is: 143016702.  I guess I'll start from the beginning, when I first got it the tank was not letting any fuel flow, I made sure this was taken care of and it still would not start, checked the spark plug roughed it up a little bit with sand paper and checked for spark and there was, but still it would not start.  Next I took the carburator off, and it was extremely dirty.  I took it off, removed the fuel line, removed the primer bulb and the throttle assembly and the float and let it soak overnight in some carburator cleaner.  I took it out rinsed it, blasted it out with air and then put it back on, but still nothing.  The primer doesn't seem to be working either. If I manually prime it though (put gas in through the air intake) it will run off the initial prime but then dies when it runs out.  The exhaust is flowing freely as well.  There are only two things left the first is that the carburator is for some reason missing the idler adjustment screw but I don't know if this will keep it from running or not, but despite the fact that its missing, if i max out the throttle when it starts to run with the initial prime it still dies.  The other thing is that the dipstick tube is not sealing to the engine at all and when I try and start it there is the sound of air flow out of the leak, I'm not sure if that will keep it from running either.  I also adjusted the float to allow more fuel into the bowl but still nothing.

I'm at a complete loss and have no idea what do from here, any help is greatly appreciated, Thank you

Answer
I believe your searching in the wrong direct, moving the float adjustment will not help, because it will just allow more gas into the bowl but not into the carb, thats done by the main jet (which I believe is still clogged). Each and every tiny little hole must be open, this is done with a tiny tiny wire. Using a wire too big for the hole will act like a drill and ope the hole too much if forced. Check the holes in the bolt that tightens the bowl on to the carb thats where the main jets get the fuel from. I believe there are two holes on the sides, then a extremely small hole up the center of it, almost the size of a hair, this hole must be opened. The center hole where the bolt tightens into must also be open into the carb throat. let e know if this helps...Tom