Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): snow blower repair, jet nozzles, horizontal shaft

Question
not small engine savy so bear with me,was a car tech so i'm am able. I have a crafstman 2 8/26
snow blower.Will only run when I prime it.Have cleaned out bowl,new spark plug and feul line,but can't keep it running.needle valve or float prob?
and how to go about it?and have a freind with a wall- mart MTD snow king trying to change belts
need info on how to go about it .It's an 8/26
modle #31ae645e352 can you help?

Answer
Classic carb problem with the craftman.  You will need to remove, dis-assemble and clean the carb with carb cleaner and compressed air (about 40 psi).  Were the small holes in the float bowl nut clean?  These holes are the carbs main jet nozzles.

As for the belts on the MTD, they should be straight forward.  MTD doesn't produce very much written repair info...they want you to attend their annual update school and they teach you how to repair the latest models.  The snowblower should be a horizontal shaft engine with the belt starting at the crankshaft and running to the auger shaft.  Most likely there will be an idler pulley in between.  If the idler pulley has a flat face then the back of the belt rides on the pulley.  If the pulley has a V shape face then the V or face of the belt rides in the idler.  When you move the idler the belt tightens and turns the auger.

Does this help?
Let me know.
Eric