Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I just bought the blower last weekend and have been getting it ready for the snow.  I repainted some of the engine cover and shroud assembly and today disassembled and cleaned the carb.  It is a manual pull start.  I got it running this afternoon but cant get it to not blow black smoke when it first starts, which of course indicates a rich mixture.  The idle mixture screw has a nice tip and the o-ring is in good condition but I seem to get little to no response from it while backing it out several turns.
  Shear pins or bolts, there is a long bolt  w/ nut at each end of the drum auger.  Are these a shear bolt? How would I go about removing the drum type auger so I can sand and paint it? does the shaft have to be completely pulled form the gear housing to remove each drum?  Is there an advantage/disadvantage to the big drum auger as compared to thin blades made to day?
Packo
N.E. Ohio