Tractor Repair: 1974 International 464, cylinder gas, distributor cap

Question
I have a 1974 International 464 Tractor with a 4 cylinder gas engine that will not start.  The starter will turn over, but it will not fire.  I have just had the carburetor rebuilt.  After 3-4 tries at starting, the carburetor slowly drips gasoline.  This problem occurred before and after the carburetor was rebuilt.

Answer
Hello,

   After trying to start an engine that won't start, it's pretty normal to see gas dripping from the carburetor after cranking and choking it enough.  As long as the gas doesn't keep dripping out all the time even when you're not trying to start it, it's not a problem.  If the engine started normally, you'd probably never see any gas drip out.  Since an engine needs 3 things to run, you've already eliminated one of them.  You need fuel, air, and ignition, so you already know you've got enough fuel in the carburetor.  Make sure it's good fresh gas, and not some that's been sitting in the tank for over 6 months.  Gas gets stale fast.  Make sure someone didn't put diesel fuel in it by mistake.  ( Don't laugh, it happens alot.)  The next things to check would be the ignition, and the air cleaner.  As long as the air cleaner isn't plugged, it should be able to get enough air.  Check for spark at the spark plugs wires.  If there is none, check the power to the + terminal of the coil.  Also make sure the rotor is turning while cranking the engine to verify the distributor drive gear isn't stripped. If there is no power at the coil, check the ignition switch.  If there is power at the coil, then the problem has to be the points, plugs, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, coil, or ignition wires.  If it's been a while since it was tuned up, do a complete tune-up.

                                       Arnie