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Phil- For future reference, please tell us what year tractor you have. Kinda makes it a little easier for us to help as 9s, 2s, and 1st 1/2 year 1950 8s have some characteristics that are different from 2nd half 1950 8s and later. Three things are needed for good runnin tractor: 1) Good whitiesh/blue spark delivered at the proper time to each cylinder. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS start your diagnosis there unless ou are intuitive about engine problems. Pull a spark plug (I keep an extra around so I don't have to Ground the plug to the block and crank her over a few spins. If whitiesh/blus spark, move on to #2 below. If not, you need to check all your tuneup items: points/point gap/condition, condensor, coil, rotor, cap, plugs/plug gap/condition, plug wires, little copper grounding strip inside the distributor, etc. If you need help with tuneup, write back. 2) Proper fuel/air mixture delivered to each cylinder. Again, ASSUMING FIRST that you have good spark (whitiesh/blue), check your 3 fuel screens for debris/clogging. Then, check for leaks in your fuel line and manifold. The leaking carb is kinda normal and mine has run for a long time with it. Just make sure you cut off the fuel valve every time. DO NOT go messing with your carb until you rule out everything else! These are simple carbs and don't tend to just go bad overnight. 3) Proper compression in each cylinder. If you have good spark, no clogs in fuel screens, leaks, etc. you can either start messin' with the carb or check your compression. Personally, I'd check comp first (dry then wet tests - check archives for procedure or write back) before messin' with a carb and I KNOW how to mess with a carb. After checking for good spark, some recommend spraying a little ether or engine starter fluid in each cylinder and trying her. If it keeps running, then you have a manifold leak. If not, then again, it's either a #2 or #3 problem. This test is ONLY valid IF you have good spark. Why? Because even bad spark can ignite ether or starter fluid. Since you've stated you aren't mechanically inclined, why not purchase the tune-up and overhaul video available on this and other sites? Won't make it in time for Xmas, but it'll really help you understand how your tractor works and how to anticipate where a problem may be surfacing.
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