RE: Cowl and Engine question
The stripped screw could be a problem. You might need a new carb barrel/housing. Or a sh*tload of Loc-tite.
There is no law against opening up engine cowlings with Dremels (the sanding drums do this FAST!). You should be able to get the fuel to the carb by running the elec starter on it for a second with the engine throttled up but no voltage to the glow plug.