Yes it's no problem.......... the oil on the water. The oil molecule is miniscule and it doesn't take but ⅛ of a drop of it to completely cover your barrel. 1 eye dropper of it will cover a 100' diameter pond.....saw it done on BBC TV.
Gas out the front of the carb means that your needle valve that lets fuel into the bowl is not seating and sealing. Could be the needle, float not set properly, binding of the float arm, or defect in the needle seat......it needs to be perfectly conical with no deformations...same with the brass seat where it rests.
Having to run on choke means the engine is too lean and needs more fuel for the air the engine inhales......float adjustment again probably.
If the needle valve is leaking you can squeeze the primer bulb and it will never get hard....(course a cracked fuel line will cause that too (on an '84 engine would be wise to change all the rubber in the fuel system, both inside and to the tank). Additionally it will force gas out the brass venturi tube from the bowl. If it gets hard then try squeezing it when you have the engine running on choke.......momentarily push the choke in (no choke) while you squeeze the bulb. If the engine runs ok, then suspect the fuel pump needing a rebuild. Low speed jet is usually around 1 ? to 1 ? turn from two finger snug (that's barely seated so that you don't score the cone of the needle valve). On your engine, if that is your only problem you need to back it out more....little at a time.
Have you checked compression?
Is your fuel fresh?
