So you have narrowed it down to 1 of 2 things, a filthy carb or an air leak, fixing it should be all down hill from here.
Actually I was texting my freind nick (braaptor) we were talking about the fact that it still spits alittle fuel out of the carb when kicking only just drips now after a few kicks. He thinks that mixed with the hard start could possibly be a broken reed pedal. I have clean the carb minus the pilot jet twice now. I don't think I can get it any cleaner. I will leak test it very soon.
Bad news my grandmother had a second heart attack
she's stable in recovery an talking my mom seen her I'm going to see her tomorrow after work some work will have to be put off