Carb. problem

I have a 18 HP B&S on a riding mower. Fuel got in the crankcase & on top of the piston. I took the solenoid fuel shut-off from the carb. & put a plug where it was. I don't get any fuel in with the oil anymore, but still do on top of the piston. I put a fuel shut-off valve on the fuel line & run the carb. dry when I'm not using it for a while. My problem is when I forget to shut fuel off & run carb. dry. The engine won't turn over, so I take the spark plug out & blow out the fuel, then it starts. Before I get a new solenoid, (I really don't like them), could I lower the float in the carb. & stop fuel from getting in the combustion chamber? Thanks for any help.

Carb. problem