Leaving clip off needle and float

[tayto]

I've read that it is ok to leave the clip off the needle that attaches to the float. I copied how my old float and needle was which had the clip going through one of the holes on the float. Going to tear down the carb again and rectify this problem, however I came across a few that have said it is alright to leave this clip entirely... Any issues with this?

[Cliff Ruggles]

The purpose of the clip is to raise the needle out of the seat when the carb bowl dries up.  This insures that residue from the drying up process doesn't "glue" the needle into the seat and prevent the bowl from filling on the next start-up.

With this new fuel, it evaporates quickly and leaves nothing behind in terms of "sticky" residue, and I haven't seen any issues to date by leaving the clip off the needle.....Cliff

[tayto]

Thanks cliff, a few hours after i posted I read the rebuilding section of your book and it stated to disregard the clip... tore down the carb tonight and removed it. vac tested via the fuel supply line and took over 3 minutes to leak down from 20" to near 0"... i think most of the leak was my vac fittings!