Seriously, do I really need to deal with all that float needle and valve crap when I rebuild my nikki?

Really?

Can't I just put it back together now that its (mostly) clean?

c'mon.

 

That all depends.....did you like doing it this time? Next time will be worse because you will be ticked at yourself for not finishing the job now. If you have gotten it broken down far enuff to even think about the needle and seat replacement, the hard part is over....

 

i got a replacement viton needle and seat in my rebuild kit and i notice a difference with them much nicer

one thing i wanna mention seeing as you have it apart i found that the little wire screens throughout the carb there should there should be 4 of them, that was the main part that was restricting my fuel flow

 

I have rebuilt many Nikkis. If the needle and seat are in good shape, you can leave them be. just make sure they consistently move freely and seal when they ought to and you're good. In fact some of my best running Nikkis have had just a cleaned, well inspected needle and seat.

 

i leave nothing to chance. if the kit has a new one, i use it.

 

You'll probably live, but also kick yourself in the nuts when you have to rebuild it again. Seriously... that's one of the easiest parts! You've got it open, so why not? Also, there are screens in there that will need to be cleaned out. Do yourself and your car a favor and replace everything that you have in the kit.

 

It's a no brainer. Put the new ones in. There's a reason why they came in the rebuild kit.

 

As Sterling recomends, burnish the edges so that it doesn't stick, like some new ones will