[macojoe]

well the fuel pump is cheap and easy to replace, you could try that first, then go for the Carb rebuild.

Have you blown out the vent hoses and the vents them selfs??
Some times blowing them out is not anough!! I swear tht some of them bugs you crazy glue to build them nests!!

Get a small cheap car fuel filter and install in the line, the one you can see thur. This way while running you can look at it to see if it is staying full of gas or nnot getting any when you speed up.

pinging?? seems like te gas you are using is carpy?? getting water in the tank??

Try to use a small gas tank on the deck. If it runs with that then you no fuel delivery is messed up spme where. If does the same with remote tank, see thur filter and fresh gas then I would think Carbs.

Good luck!!