might be important! carb needle shim mod

[bald josh]

so i was going to do the needle/shim mod @ a year ago and ran into the same prob as 84xj, i just put it back together stock and forgot about it. yesterday i thought id try again and went and got the washers from ace and same problem, the needles had no play in and out, a little side to side but none in and out. i remembered this post and searched for it. my needles do not have any adjustment?!? so looked a little closer and discovered the prob/solution. not all washers will have the exact OD measurement and sure enough the ones from my local ace are too big. i think the area inside the slider that the needle/ clip/ washers fit into is tapered and so it all seems to fit fine at first but when you start to tighten it down there is not enough room for the washers to seat proper. I could feel it when tightening, but was unsure why. i went back and found nylon washers 1 the same thickness as two stainless washers but with an OD just a bit smaller and all works perfect. now there is free play in and out like stock.

I did try and slide the slides into the carbs with the stainless washers and i could feel the needles rubbing in and out. dont want to cause alarm but if you dont know if there was free play with the needles id check. and i bet Eds washers are spot on so the carb mod kit he sells would be worth it.

attached pic is of a stainless washer STUCK inside the slide.

im gonna go for a ride this weekend and enjoy checking the fuel mileage.

Attached Thumbnails

[jasonm.]

what size washers are recommended to start? #4 or #6? Does #4 fit over the needle? #6 stainless and nylon are easy to find. But #4 not so... AND how much is a good start to drop it? The factory washer is 2.5mm thick. I can get nylon #6 washers in 1.7mm. Is this a good start? Please reply.

[jasonm.]

Well, I did some shimming. ANd did the measurement ins inches. stock being .122".. I dropped to .102 " . On the dyno it runs better at cruising speeds.