Original issue was fuel literally like a water hose out of the exhaust pipe of muffler. Carb showed a ruptured gasket so I replaced carb with OEM. replaced filter and vent lines. Changed oil & filter. Upon crank, still spitting fuel & white smoke; shut it down.
As divine providence would have it, I’d missed the wispy spring on throttle rod; throttle rod disengaged, unnoticed; cranked it again because I saw no fresh fuel at exhaust pipe opening. Motor went to full speed, some smoke, then clear.
Shut it down, properly placed throttle rod spring and all is well.
Had that not happened, there was apparently considerable fuel in the muffler and smoking would have continued to my frustration.
Thank you nonetheless for your reply, sir.
Case closed! - Bryant