Blackie:

I would remove the current needle valve parts to save weight. Then install a remotely mounted needle valve, probably to the firewall. I have heard the K$B needle valve for about $15 works fine. The engine is then supposed to run okay. It's less trouble than having a damaging lean run and dead stick.

Make sure your Pitts muffler is for a .91. The .61 sized Pitts also fits this engine, but its displacement is too small and this causes problems.

Also, make sure there is a brass gasket ring between the head and cylinder. Without this ring, the compression ratio is higher and would cause the engine to run hotter. Let us know how you make out.