I use the stock carb but I doubt this has any influence on my broken cylinder. If you handstart, you will never have a hydrolock problem. if you set your idle correctly, you can safely use the starter as well. I think hydrolock will never be a problem when engine is running with exception that your exhaust valve is with some reason completely blocked. I have made a full 8 mins flight with my #3 not firing due loose plug cap and my #3 is not cracked and yet #2 is the one that cracked. The oil mix and type changes the needle settings significantly, this might make the tuning harder. I was mixing max 2 liters at one time and consume it as soon as possible to make sure I have a fresh fuel.