Low float bowl levels
 

Hey guys. Working on some troubleshooting and need some advice. About a year ago I rebuilt the stock nikki carb on my 79 (rb headers, no air pump, rats nest and emissions left stock). I rebuilt it because the accel pump had gone bad but ended up having to take it back apart because a checkball got stuck and then again because a needle valve was stuck closed. After that it ran better than ever for several months, this carb is as clean as a whistle at this point. Then it started having idle issues and now it won't idle at all. When i turn the key on i can hear the fuel pump hum just like it always has and the in line filter taps against the frame for a few seconds like its getting good pressure. It will only start with the choke pulled out or lots of throttle and will stay running with choke around 3k rpm until it warms up and then i can keep it alive as long as i hold it around 2k rpm or more but as soon as i let off the throttle it falls on its face. I can see that the level in both sight glasses is lower than normal. About 1/4 or 1/5 of the way up from the bottom instead of half like normal. What could be causing this? I assume would have to be something in the carb to mess with the levels like that but what would mess up both of them equally making it run lean? Any suggestions are apreciated, thanks guys.

try tapping on the bowls and see if they will fill to normal levels.

when you rebuilt it, did you use the needles and seats that came with the kit? i ask because i think i remember one of Jeff20B's many posts on rebuilding saying that the aftermarket parts (the needles/seats specifically) are usually not good for use. maybe you can look up some of his threads/posts when you have some time.

I used the new ones. I found a thread somewhere that said to burnish the edges and use 3 in 1 oil to make sure they would set properly. Thats what I did and it seemed to work great for a few months. I'll try to find the thread you mentioned.