Brian,

I took a compression test before I even started on the motor as I
didn't want to sink money into a boat anchor rather than motor. It ran
130-145 PSI on three separate times (just oiled, 2 days later, 1 week
later). It was also for that reason that I didn't think the reeds were
at fault. But the reeds could leak (or seep) but the compression tools
wouldn't know that due to the check valve retaining the readings in the
gauge.

If the carb seats and the reeds do not cure the problem, then I pop the
head to look futher.

Thanks again for the advice,
Mike, Pensacola, Florida (Gods waiting room)