Fuel dripping from the carb means the inlet needle is leaking...Starting in reverse means the timing is wrong or the ignition is defective...PERIOD...
People who rely on "factory" needle settings often have carb problems...If you start out with the needles 2 turns open and adjust them correctly the engine will run as it should if the carb is not faulty....

NO engine will be harmed by learning to set your own carb, it will not freeze up or stick if it gets too lean while testing, it will just stop running from lack of fuel...