[RichH]

Always running a 2 cycle ''dry'' to empty the carburator is the best for trouble free service. The lubricating oil is already ON the cylinder walls and in the needle bearing surfaces on the crankshaft. That oil got there previously by surface adsorbtion and will stay there for quite some time.
What you dont want to do is let the carburator sit idle for long periods of time as gels, varnish and shellac will form due to degradation of the fuel mixture. Gasoline starts to go ''bad'' immediately after the refining process - forming ''gums''. Running a carb dry will remove the potentially ''souring'' fuel mix and prevent varnish/gum formation. For long periods of layup (ie. greater than 1 month) you should unscrew the main jet adjusting screw, let the fuel mix drain and with an eye dropper ''shoot-in'' a little IPA isopropyl alcohol to flush.

Other than that, an annual application of moly grease to the splines at the output end of the crankshaft (corrosion prevention) is all you need to keep a small hp 2 cycle buzzing for YEARS.

I have a totally reliable 2hp Evinrude that is nearing 30 years of age - other than the fuel draining/drying and lubricating the splines (plus a couple of worn out minor parts), the only thing extra that I do is when laying up for winter is to remove the spark plug and add Marvel Mystery OIl to the combustion chamber to help remove the carbon from the piston ring grooves. I also retorque the cylinder head yearly.

I use this engine often and use it at full blast ... and after all these years it has virtually NO internal wear, starts EVERY time.

Varnish and gel forming in the carburator because of ''souring fuel'' is THE greatest problem source with a 2 cycle engine. Always buy your 2 cycle fuel from a ''high turnover'' source to insure that its fresh. Store the fuel mix for no more than 1 month (use the old stuff in your car) Run the engine dry to empty the carb; and, drain/flush the carb if you''re going to store the 2 cycle engine (outboard, weedeater, powerblower, chainsaw, etc.) for more than a month.

hope this helps.