Get rid of that old fuel before even trying to run it again.
Pull the air filter off and make sure when you hit brakes the carb closes but still leaves a .5 or little bigger opening. That will be your idle gap.\
When you tune the engine.. First warm it up for a couple minutes or more so it is up to running temperature. Then lean out (clockwise) the high speed needle a bit at a time until you get the high speed run you desire. If it starts to bog out on the high speed run then you need to richen (counter-clockwise) the needle up a bit.
Then fine tune the low speed needle to get the take off that you want. It should be able to sit and idle for a little bit, then take off without coughing or hesitating. Then you can fine adjust the idle screw to get the idle to maintain the your desired setting.
And remember your engine will run much much longer if you run it rich compared to if you run it lean.
I think you'll be fine if you've been around small engines already in planes. Have fun and happy motoring : )