Most of the engine damage I've seen is always because one of the carbs was
not working. Running your engine with one carb clogged causes the cyl to
run dry. This damages the rings/cyl on one or more cyls. Sometimes it's
hard to not limp in on one carb (safety reasons).

When I get a missing or dead cyl I stop and check for spark. If I have none
I feel it's safe to limp home. IF the cyl has spark I pull the plug and if
dry call for a tow. It's better to pay the $150 than to total an engine.


I never thought about that, but it makes sense. No matter how clean
I try to keep the system there is always something down there sloshing
around in the fuel. I could see where a stuck float or dirt causing a
cylinder to drop would also kill the available lubrication and end up
with a wrecked engine. All the better reason to pull my system down and
look closer this fall in preparation for the coming spring.