Funny how time passes-by so quickly . . . . I'd forgoten all about this post!

Spiro, You said: "Damaged needle: Take the needle all of the way out and take a close look at the tapered section. If there is a small ring, groove, notch, step, ect. somewhere on the taper I would throw the needle out and get a new one. Often the needles are over tightened and the needle seat will gouge a small groove or flat into the needle. This makes it about impossible to ever set the needle valve correctly again. Adjustments in the range of the flat spot do almost nothing. Turning the needle in past the flat causes the engine to be much too lean while backing the needle out past the flat makes everything much to rich. A new needle is defiantly worth the few dollars they cost in this case. I find the engine runs well over a very broad needle setting with a good needle."

You were "right on the money," my needle did have the "step" you so accurately diagnosed. I realised that there was a lot of excess "needle length," so I re-shaped it with some gentle filing and now it works perfect! If only I had taken the trouble to find my reading spex when I checked the needle the first time!" [&:]

Many thanks for this

Tony