Tony If the tank gets too high you have the siphoning effect which will flood the engine when not running. Nothing wrong with the 8 oclock position . The exhaust now goes down more (GOOD) The igniter is easier to put on. And it raises the carb a tad. The muffler will provide good presure. The center of the tank level or just a little below center of spray bar is good. Even if it is a slant tank it can be mounted any which way it is up as long as the vent tube is long enough to point straight up and touch top of tank.