Dura Force?? The "force" ain't with me!

I recently got a 2003 10247 Dura Force from a friend. It did not seem to have been used too much for a mower 14 years old and now I think I see why! I cleaned it up, cleaned out the carburetor and put the blade on right (it was upside down). It was hard to start, but with a little ether it ran like a house a fire. I put an inline fuel shutoff on it to keep the gas from leaking out when it was shut off. This is the first LB I ever saw that did not come equipped a fuel shutoff. It was still hard to start, so I disassembled the carb again to make sure the jets were fully cleaned out. After that, it would start up, but did not run right and flooded instantly. It would stall if the throttle was fully advanced. It seemed to be drowning in fuel. It even filled up that little U shaped gizmo (part # 981557) under the deck/muffler. The float tested good, so I put a in new needle and seat and it still floods out! This one has me perplexed and I have had enough Dura Force to do me for this life! Anybody got any thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,
Parkboy

Dura Force?? The "force" ain't with me!