Hi product78,
The black plastic fuel connection should be tight between the brass needle housing and the body of the aluminum carb.
You will find two flat spots at the bottom of brass housing, and that will allow you to tighten the housing down. You have a choice of where you want the fuel connection to be angled, so keep than in mind and hold it in the correct orientation.
With that lose a connection, I would have expected air leaks and tuning issues. Maybe it just got that way.
Anthony,
This looks like yet another SH variant. I think your right about the needle position, but product78 is still getting this run-in the old school way.