New style carb with a needle on the main jet

[Grampian30]

Don,

I have a new style carb which has a needle installed on the main jet instead of the plug. I was thinking of replacing it with a plug because it weeps fuel.

Selwin Gray

[Don Moyer]

Selwin,

Have you tried tightening the small 5/16" gland nut around the shaft of the needle valve? If so, there's not too much to be lost by going back to the plug except, of course, the ability to adjust the fuel mixture. Unless you're doing a lot of cruising, this adjustment is usually not all that important.

If you do remove the "T" handle and needle, remember that you also have to replace the main jet itself before installing the main passage plug since it has a different orifice size.

Regards,

Don