Vacuum testing needle/seat

[tw9999]

Cliff,
In your book you recommend vacuum testing the needle/seat before installing and would like to know if mine is good.  I attached a hose to the threaded portion of the seat with a hose clamp and the other to my mighty vac.  With the needle installed, this setup will only hold vacuum when I apply a slight pressure to the needle with my finger.  Is this normal?  The reason I checked the vacuum is because the carb exhibits signs of flooding.  I have lowered the float level to 5/16 so I know the level is not the problem.  The carb number is 7029207.

Thanks
Tim

[carmantx]

Did you get your parts from Cliff?

[tw9999]

I should have mentioned that I just rebuilt the carb with a kit I got from Cliff.  After rebuilding I set the float at 1/4 inch, but had to set it lower because fuel was soaking through the air horn gasket along with a strong fuel smell.  Fuel no longer soaks through the air horn gasket, but 5/16 is a little low and I'm thinking the needle is requiring more pressure than normal to stop the incoming fuel.  I'm running a stock mechanical fuel pump,  Everything else is working well, idle, part throttle, WOT, but the strong fuel smell is still there.

[tw9999]

...also hard hot starting

[carmantx]

take the clip off of the needle and let the needle rest in the seat on it's own.  It may be causing a little bind and not letting it close.

[tw9999]

Ok, I'll give it a try.  Thanks