Getting Anal about Amal!

[Mutineer]

Hello All I'm wondering if I could get a bit of consulting help?
I'm dismantling the Amal2 jet carb on my early 68 silver seagull for some much needed cleaning
I've noticed what I think might be a few weird "repairs"..I could be wrong
The obvious ones were a different fuel tap with a turn to open tap and a copper tube going into the original "fuel line with a hose clip (I'm replacing it I like the pull jobs better and a proper hose from john) an ugly fix on a broken throttle lever(it worked,,,but for how long?)also replacing
and the standard electricians black tape throttle cable repair(also fixing)

The things I'm wondering about are:

I'm cleaning out the float bowl whilst reading the page relating to these carbs in the service manual
as well as consulting the diagram(though my copy is a little light for exact viewing)
it talks of the float clip being in the slot provided on the float needle

-Should this clip be a separate unit from the actual float
on mine it looks like it's been lightly soldered it to the top of the float..which would seem to stop the float from floating

-Is that right? the float in the picture doesn't look quite like the roundish float in mine and there's no mention of a "clip" in the diagram either
(It could easily be unsoldered if necessary)

-Also my needle has 2 slots on it about 3-4 mm apart..normal?
- if so then which slot to use?

-The other thing it has which isn't apparent on the diagramn and caused me no end of cursing was a little bolt in the top of the mixing chamber cap (near the edge)which seems to secure if from rotating (for fitting the cap "looser")and or act as a stop to the carb..but if ignored succeds in gouging the top end couple mm of the mixing chamber body necessitating some carefull sanding etc to smooth it out again(grrrr)...is that standard?

and can I make a filter? I ordered bits from John, they just arrived (quick!)and I didn't know I needed the filter..the postage will be more than the filter!

[phil]

The float looks standard, when the float floats the flared end of the needle closes the fuel supply until the motor uses some,then the float drops and the needle lets more fuel into the float bowl.

Don't recall seeing two grooves on the needle, but at least it gives another option on a carb that is not very adjustable, try it both ways, see how it runs. Should change rich/lean ratio somewhat.

Will check an amal carb, but at least one that slides on the "banjo bolt"

The little screw thingy not standard, looks like an attempt to limit revs.

[phil]

After checking, the amal "banjo bolt" connecting the 2 carb parts together, has 2 filters a cup shaped in the end and the one that slides over the bolt covering the center section. Also the needle I looked at from a 1977 Silver Century only had 1 groove.

[charlesp]

I have never seen (or maybe never noticed) a needle with two grooves.

The only reference I have is in a late forties military manual, the needle in that has the two. I suspect it is effectively a mixture adjustment, maybe to compensate for tropical temperatures, or different fuel qualities. Mind you that's guesswork.

[Mutineer]

Thanks!
I'll ignore the float then
And having no fine brass mesh I might order some filters from john

As to the needle
upon further examination the lower slot (which was the one being used) looks a little more rounded and or homemade, that could be from the clip

However
-Measuring from the flared end (bottom) to the bottom of each slot

The lower slot is 42 mm up
The upper slot is 45.5 mm up

Can someone tell me which is the normal setting for a Silver Century?
I'll attach the float there and adjust later if I need to

I think the weird screw in the top of the mixing chamber cap was an attempt to get more revs out of the engine as the screw makes firm contact with the inside edge (possibly to compensate for the failing throttle cable, busted lever and wierd fuel tap etc etc)
From examining it it looks like somebody was trying to loosen the cap up a few threads and was using the screw to keep it tight, After I get it back together and running again I'll likely take it out and put in a very short little screw to plug it

Another fine indicator was that this engine came with a filed down 40 plus prop on it??? (they made the blades taper towards the ends..looks sad!, got the real thing now)