Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 30+ year old 8hp B&S carb setup, two different places, speed jet

Question
installed carb kit and think I screwed up bending float level. Engine runs perhaps 5 minutes then only keeps running with almost full choke. Gas seeping from carb when stopped. Should float top be parrallel with top of chamber when inlet valve closed? Thanks, Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,
Yes, float should be level when closed.Those old carbs are notoriously hard to keep from leaking. Your adjustment settings should be 1 1/2 turns open on the high speed (bottom adj.)Same for the low speed (side adj.)This should get you running enough to make fine adjustment while running. If it still won't stay running, then somethings stopped up. The leak can occur from two different places. First is the float needle not seating, probably because of a rough seat. The seat is replaceable, but has to have special tools to remove it. Second is around the screw in high speed jet. It has a tiny taper right above the threads. That taper seats in a taper in the body of the carb. If the taper in the body of the carb has corrosion,then it's going to leak. There's really nothing to be done short of replacing the carb. Hope this helps.
Keith