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

I have an old Ariens ST504 snowthrower that has served me well for many years. It has worked well even already this season Have always drained gas after the season is over, run till quit, greased, etc... so it's always been well-taken care of. It's a 5 horse...and I believe it's a Tecumseh. Looks like it was manufactured in 1978 or 1979. My problem currently is with the carb I have just thoroughly cleaned -- because the engine was trying to die when under load. So cleaning was in order. I've always had to run the machine with the choke switch on full. Anything less...even at 3/4's choke would cause the engine to start sputtering. I'm currently desperate because I live in Syracuse and after 2 days and 24+ inches of snow...and more on the way... I know no repair center will fix this quickly as they're likely up to their ears in similar requests... so I'm on my own. Obviously my careful(?) preventative maintenance did not keep me out of trouble. My question is -- After cleaning this older carb thoroughly and putting it back together the issue I now have.... and didn't before I disassembled and cleaned ....is that when I reopen the petcock under the fuel tank and gas flows back into the carb...in a matter of seconds (5-10) I then get a very small stream of gas shooting out, what I presume is a very tiny "venting hole". It's near the top and on one side of the carb. Hole is about the size of a small needle hole. Somehow after cleaning, this issue has developed. Obviously I can't even "try" to start my machine with this condition. I did a search on this forum and noticed in 2009 someone posted the exact question I have. It was at the tail end of comments about a similar Ariens carb problem. He too noted fuel squirting out a very small hole near the top of the carb assembly. Unfortunately no one responded to his question... so I'm lost. Any advice? Suggestions? thanks. Jack F