It's a fuel problem. Even if there was a vacuum leak, you could still get it started and run it by manipulating the choke and accelerator pedal.

Quote:Then why do you not think it is a fuel problem? This indicates that it is.

Take Dodgeman's advice: Remove the air cleaner, shine a flashlight down the carb, and move the throttle by hand. Does it pump a smooth, consistent flow down into the bore? Or is it a weak, trickling flow (or none at all)?

If the fuel bowl is spot-on, then the fuel pump is working good enough to start the engine. The fuel level should come to the dot on the window, no higher, no lower for good running.