The important thing with a diesel is to get the compression right before setting the fuel mixture.

Set back the compression to below where you think it will end up, and set the mixture rich to start the engine. Choke the carb and turn it over a few times until you get fuel in the carb, then try to start it.

When it is running (probably badly!) slowly screw down the compression screw until it starts to labor, then back off about 1/4 turn. Now slowly screw in the needle until the revs pick up then start to die. Now back off the needle until the revs pick up again.

When the mixture seems about right, you may have to increase the compression slightly, but it must end up slightly less than the point at which it labors. Diesels lean out a bit in the air, so it's a good idea to keep it slightly rich on the ground.

There should be noticeably more power output when the weather is cold, and it might need a little more leaning out to keep the temperature up.

It will tell you in the air if it's too lean as it will sound labored, which means either to much compression or too lean. You will need to experiment with that one, as the sound is slightly different, but too difficult to describe here!

I hope that helped!

-David C.