It is very hard to diagnose from your data. "never touched the needles" is a bad thing. The carb should be tuned to your prop, plane and environment. See http://www.prme.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10
Check your spark plug, and post a picture here (colour of the sparkplug inside should not be white, and also not black). You may want to try a new plug first.
also check your battery and all battery connections.
How is your tank connected? do you have a good fuel filter installed in the pickup line? No T-connection in the fuel line?