Carb kit washers vs packing

[cgodfrey]

The carb kit for my little ’54 7.5hp Fleetwin includes these nine pieces

Every tutorial I’ve seen says use one fiber washer for the high speed needle, one for the low speed needle, turn each needle in, then back off 1-1/4 turns and call it a day until you can fine tune it on a running motor.

I know this is a universal kit, and not every piece will get used, but does anyone feel differently about how I should pack this carb? Even the instructions indicates one packing and one washer per needle, so I’m uncertain

Thanks

[frankr]

Depends on what motor. But most use two packings + 1 nylon on each needle. But some use as many as four. The nylon one goes between the packings and the packing nut.
Early models did not use the nylon ones, but use them anyhow. They keep the nut from destroying the packings.

[cgodfrey]

What’s the difference between the single red one, and the six brown ones?

[frankr]

I’m not sure what the red one is. Gasket for the float valve??? If I am looking at the picture right, the six brown ones are the needle packings.

[cgodfrey]

Float valve seems to gets a nylon washer only

[cgodfrey]

Slow speed needle tip’s looking a little dull. I’d rather not spend $30+ for a new one with a sharp point on it.
Do you think I’m going to still be able to dial this in?

[chris-p]

No that is broken. Cant even turn that down. Post a wanted ad on the classifieds for a good used one, a local member should be able to help out. If not, shoot me a PM.

Curious where you are reading to use 1 packing washer? Never only use 1. 2 on most motors will suffice, but I prefer 3 when I rebuild a carb. On the Big Twin high speed needle, I install 4. Then as Frank stated, sandwich them between the white nylon washers.

The red washer is not for your carb, not needed. It is for the plug for a fixed high speed jet if I am seeing it correctly.

[fisherman6]

Chris P is correct. The red washer is the sealing washer that goes under the head of the plug screw that goes behind the the orifice plug (high speed jet) in a fixed jet carburetor.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[cgodfrey]

Good to know.
I put two packing washers in first, then the nylon washer, then the nut. I don’t see the harm in repacking with a third.

[dan-in-tn]

I’m a two packing washer person like FrankR except on Big Twins/RDs that call for 4 on the HS needle. I guess it could come to a personal preference type of thing as to how many you like, but the plastic one against the jam nut seems to be the consensus.
Just thought I would mention the plastic washer that comes with the needle & seat. The washer goes under the needle seat on aluminum bodied carbs, but on minlon (plastic) you don’t use a washer. Of course all needle & seats come with washers because they are used in other applications. Some are starting to work on later motors (1985 about first minlon carbs) & may run into this situation. A washer will make it difficult if not impossible to set your float height correctly.

Dan in TN

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