The guy lives in Detroit, it hasn't been hot enough in 3 months to cause gas in the tank to swell that much !!

Even if the engine flooded from heat soak, it appears to have sat long enough between startups for the gas to have evaporated off the plugs.

So my conclusion is its flooding at startup. Lift the hood, remove the air cleaner and look down the carb while someone's cranks it over. Make sure they are NOT stepping on the gas pedal. If gas is pouring in, check for something sticking the float(s) open. It takes a LOT of pressure to over power floats believe it or not. If you concerned about a backfire blowing your head off, remove the coil wire so the engine doesn't get a spark.