Model M Tune Up

I'm just trying to tune up my newly aquired model M. It's running smooth with the exception of the occasional miss when idling. However, I've run into a few questions that I need help with - I've ordered the service manual but it probably won't be here till later in the week. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Carb tuning - What are the 3 different screws for - Tell me if I'm right here. *The one on the top from the governor input seems to be just for that - adjusting the governor. *The screw just below that seems to be for the idle mixture or idle speed adjust. *The screw near the bottom of the carb seems to be for the air/fuel mixture adjustment. *Can anyone give me the basic procedure for carb tuning?

Also--
What spark plug is recommended for this tractor? The plugs that are currently installed seem to be shorter than they should be.

What weight oil should I be using for the summer? I'm in Colorado near Loveland.

I'm guessing that the way to check the oil level is via the two little valves on the side of the oil pan - right?

How do I check the oil level in the transmission?

Thanks again for any advice.

Well, thanks again for the replies - I'm off to replace the 3 point hydraulic ram now..... I'll post some pictures of the beast when I'm done.

Ten to one you'll regret it if you do.

I don't know if I've ever been around an old tractor that didn't puff occasionally at idle. I don't know if they all did it new, but I suspect they did. I was told once that back in the day of relatively low compression all cars, tractors, etc., did this at idle, but I wasn't there, so I don't know.

If your tractor starts and runs reliably; if it pulls well under load; if it responds to the throttle well; if fuel consumption is normal and if the exhaust is clear; if all these standards are met, I would NOT mess with the carb just yet!

But if I read his post correctly, he neglected to tell you how to check the oil

You are right about the two petcocks on the side. Open the lower one. Oil should come out. If it doesn't, close the bottom one, open the top one, and add oil until it dribbles out the top one.

And now you know how to check the oil on a whole bunch of different kinds of antique machines, including good ol' Model T!