I'm having a couple issues with an Evo 52 (2 stroke) and after trying to resolve them myself I'm breaking down and asking for help. First, the high end needle won't stay still. When you turn it it is very loose and when I run up the engine it rotates forward (richer) until it hits the little arm that's supposed to help you tune the engine. Is there a way to tighten this so it doesn't "auto-adjust"?

Second, this engine has the remote needle so the high end is in the back and the low end is on the carb. The low end has limiters as to how far you can adjust rich and lean. I have it so lean it's almost closed, maybe 1/8 turn open and it still seems to run rich. This has led to 2 deadsticks. The engine may run fine on teh ground but as soon as it gets on the runway and up in the air the engine dies. Idles ok but when you push the throttle forward it stumbles and may eventually go WOT. Eventually though, it will die in the air and deadstick. Is this just a tuning issue that I need to work on more or perhaps would moving the remote needle to the carb help the low end tuning?

Appreciate any advice. Thanks!