I have a two year old Sears Craftsman (Murray) snow blower with a 7.5 HP
Briggs and Stratton OHV engine. The instructions tell you how to remove
the "snow hood," which is fairly obvious, and what the spark gap should
be. However it doesn't give any hints for actually getting at the spark
plug.

The spark plug is at an angle underneath the snow hood, behind the
carburetor. The rubber wire boot has a rubber extension to pull off.
I've pulled it as hard as a I dare (it stretches as you pull), but I
can't get it off. Unfortunately you just can't get your hands in there
because the spark plug isn't directly under the snow hood access and the
carburetor is in the way.

Does anyone have any advice for removing the rubber boot on these
engines?

Another question, the engine seems to run better with one click of
choke. The unit has had so little use (it's only used for at most 45
minutes for a snow storm, and we only have had so many of those) that
I'm surprised by that, usually needing choke is caused by junk build-up
in the carb. Since it is a snow blower, there is no air filter and I
always use STA-BIL in my gasoline. I'm not looking forward to getting
at the carburetor.

Thanks!