Yeah chainsaws are another thing we have that are 2-stroke, forgot about those! I just got my "own" but haven't gotten it running yet.

With us it's a couple chainsaws and an outboard motor on a 16' Lund skiff.
I imagine snowmobiles are a big thing there? I saw lots of "ruts" along the Chena Hot Springs road during my visit...is that what they're from?

They might have been from 4-wheelers getting into the post-breakup mud.  Snowmobiles tend not to leave much of a trace since the surface they run on melts away in the spring.  Snowmobiles are a big deal here, with almost every kind of riding close by.  Tons of trails in the area for touring, with mountain riding a few hours south in Paxson or Cantwell.

Being this far from the coast, boats are usually small lake boats or shallow water jon boats.

I was thinking 4-wheelers too.  Interesting nonetheless though. 

I collect old engines.  got 2 maytags, a DeLaval 2 1/2 hitn miss, 2 Cushman cubs and a Fairbanks-Morse 2hp ZD "salt block" engine.  I know this thread is long dead but what did you need help on the maytag about?

I included a picture of my DeLaval and one of my cushmans at a show in Harrison, Mi.

Well I got the Maytag back out yesterday to start it up, and to my dismay, it will not run. I put fresh gas down the cylinder, and I got it to run briefly, then it fell flat on its face. I just can't figure it out. It ran perfectly last year. Help?  Here is a demonstration.

That's pretty much what that SkiDoo was doing.  Did you drain the float chamber in the carburetor?  Fresh gas in the tank won't do much good if the stuff in the carb is still old.

Also might be worth checking the fuel pickup in the tank.

How would I go about cleaning the carb? Soak it mineral spirits or naphtha or something? I would agree with you on that. Its erratic behavior suggested that it wasn't getting enough gas.   

Well I got the Maytag back out yesterday to start it up, and to my dismay, it will not run. I put fresh gas down the cylinder, and I got it to run briefly, then it fell flat on its face. I just can't figure it out. It ran perfectly last year. Help?  Here is a demonstration.

these have no float chamber.  take the carb off and clean the check valve at the bottom of the pick up tube.  its gonna either have a ball type or one with a notched disk.  just make sure its clean, and if its the ball type, shake it and see if it rattles. if it does, youre good.  theres a screen on them usually, make sure its clean as well.

But what should I use to clean it and how? What will dissolve old gummed up gas?

But what should I use to clean it and how? What will dissolve old gummed up gas?

carb cleaner.  go to the parts store and get some.  naptha will work and maybe paint thinner as well if you cant get carb cleaner. 

Okay. I'll do that this weekend.

Okay. I'll do that this weekend.

you may have to have your parents buy it if you're under 18.  they have to card you for products like that here in Michigan.  they don't want people huffing it so they wont sell to minors.

Oh good God.  

Another problem is that the high Saturday is 76 degrees, so working on this thing in the December heat is going to be miserable.

be careful when you retighten the bolts to the carb, they strip easily.  you could also spread a little blue gasket silicone on the gasket if you are worried about leaks.  its probably not necessary.  the biggest spot for leaks is the area where the carb meets the gas tank.  just make sure the gasket isn't torn.

shameless plug:  heres a few of mine running:
longbase 92:
https://youtu.be/Iq5fYPXIyk0

model 72 twin:
https://youtu.be/n9hc7K4U6Oo