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

Thanks again for the info. I used the machine for the first time today and found that it turns a lot easier with one wheel unlocked but its hard to keep it running straight ahead.  I also found  that Toro says the drum auger is designed to meter the amount of snow to prevent clogging and increase the performance.  To read go to ebay item 110315121122 and scroll down.
Packo