Trey,
That's quite a chore to pull the timing cover. It sure sounds like lack of fuel, but I would go through a tune up routine and you will probably find the culprit.
You indicated the plugs showed fire, but I would set the points accurately, and like Grigg notes, check the timing.
Eight miles is a long way to run while starving for fuel but make sure you have no plugged filters, collapsed hoses or dead bugs caught in the needle and seat.
Another idea might be a coil that is failing as it warms up or a bad condenser. There are no back pressure ramifications on these engines so the exhaust leak would not be a concern.
You said it ran 8 miles and fizzled. Did you get it started again for another 8 mile run or was it a one shot deal?
Stuart
