Not trying to hijack this post, but this may be relevant..
On the float needles. The tip of those valves needles, seems to be made of rubber..
If it is, how long would a rubber stopper last (in years), being subjected to gasoline, impregnated with ethanol, and remain pliable enough to make a good seal???
I'm asking this, because two years ago, my carbs started spitting gasoline from carb#2. Had to tap on it to free it up, to get home.. Two days later, it stared spewing from #4.. So I broke the whole thing down, and replaced them with new valves.. So far, no leaking of gasoline.
Note: I also cleaned and coated my fuel tank, cleaned out carbs, fuel pump and hoses,, to make sure no FM was sloshing around in my fuel system.
The OP said he picked up an 06 with 13K..
That's 9 years old. (don't know if the valve needles had been changed).
As you know, rubber degrades on it own, with or without use.
I was wondering, how long can we expect those valve needles to last?