Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
Dirty, that play in the lever is supposed to be there. The lever really does not pull the needle up from the seat. Rather it allows the fuel pressure to push the needle off its seat. Kind of the same but different. As I'm sure you are aware, the needle is now having its movement restricted to the point of not reaching the seat.
+1, dirtybird, don't close up that fork where it engages the needle valve! As speed said, it only has to hold the needle shut when required and allow it to open (not pull it open) when the lever removes the seat pressure as the diaphragm moves. At this point it sounds like you may need a new metering lever to get back to original configuration.