Looks like I have solved the problem of what type of air filter it had..note the past tense.."had"...it has 'melted' over the years and has finished up as a rubbery lump in the Carby, where it has totally gummed the interior workings of the beast.
Obviously the lack of maintenance and cleaning has led to the foam air filter slowly dissolving into an almost glutinous mass that has become hard over the years and has actually stopped the choke butterfly from moving and the residual foam has gummed up the fuel bowl and needle and seat.
No wonder the previous owner threw it out..as most of the problems as far as I can see are due to a total lack of plain old 'looking after the bloody thing".
I might buy a new carby and see if that gets the trusty Tecumseh ticking over again.
Cheers
Gazza
