1872 eating fuel pumps?
 

Its on the 3rd one since i have had it in not quite 3 years. Maybe i am buying cheap pumps, which one should I buy? Or is there an electric one that would work better?

I like these. Scroll down till you see the pump.

http://www.kirkengines.com

18XX's don't need a fuel pump unless you run the tank low on fuel or use the tractor on steep incline. My pump failed on an 1811 I had so I bypassed it and ran it for 2 or 3 years without any issues.

So i found out it is not the fuel pump, but it won't run unless I squirt fuel into the carb. Fuel hose is not clogged, so it's something in the carb. Suggestions where to start, other than "tear it apart & look for a clog"?
Thanks

Suggestion to start, rebuild kit. If you tear it apart and clean you might get by w/o the kit. Mike

Will a 17hp carb work on it? Neighbor is an old fart that b!tches about everything. Yesterday he was "jokingly" b!tching about the height of my grass, but I know deep down he wasnt joking. Can I run it until I get other fixed?

Yes a KT17 carb will work. Should really be a better carb, adjustable.

The carb for a kt17 is the same as a mag 18 so you can run it no issue. I recommend switching over to the kt17 carb permanently because it has an adjustable main jet were the mag 18 carb is fixed.

You may or may not have an issue with the choke cable, but you prolly will know once you look at the carbs side by side.

I didn't end up just switching the carbs, but rather took the M18 one apart. I found that the float valve plunger thingy was sticking & not opening up to let fuel in. Sprayed some brake cleaner through it & put it back together & ran fine.

Thanks