Moving slowly ahead with the work on the 53/54 Big Twin towards test start fairly soon. Water pump impeller has been changed and cylinders cleaned out. Carburetor is all apart and cleaned, overhaul kit on hand, ready to reassemble. I have the factory repair manual with parts diagram. My problem is the factory diagram shows the slow speed needle valve washer goes in first, then the packing, then the nut. I also have a Sierra diagram showing the packing goes in first, then the washer, then the nut, which seems to make more sense to me.

For the high speed needle valve, the Evinrude diagram shows only the packing followed by the nut, no washer. The Sierra diagram again shows packing, washer and nut, same as the slow speed needle valve.

I have all of these parts and would really appreciate advice on how it should go together.

The overall plan for this project is to try for a basic start using a gravity feed fuel supply then try a fuel pump.

This motor also needs an overall exterior cleaning due to greasy, dirty film from years of storage in the garage. Any suggestions on some sort of spray wash, keeping everything under the flywheel dry, would be appreciated.