Ok so I bought a carburetor rebuild kit this is my first time doing it and Im having a few problems. First my needle seat screen(in picture labeled 1) was damaged during the process and not only was there no replacement in the kit but ive had an impossible time trying to replace it theres no local auto stores that can order it and it was bent and doesnt fit in the seat very well. Im wondering how important the screen is and also how crucial it is that it sits a certain way. Second the part in the picture labeled 2 ive read its very important not to let it bottom out when adjusting the float...but it did im wondering if this too needs to be replaced and also if i can get it without buying a new carb rebuild kit. The biggest problem im having though is that its a motorcraft carter carb 7051SA and I took it out of my 1980 F150 and in my rebuild kit which i have double checked and it is the right one I got a spec sheet to set the idles and it only has settings for carbs up to 78 now i know mine is obviously close seeing as how my carb must have been swapped some point in the last 30 years but what do i set it to? how do i find out what year my carb is and what engine its made for or what to set my dry float level, fast idle, fast idle linkage, choke valve pulldown, unloader, auto choke setting, slow idle rpm, dashpot, and fast idle rpm. im having alot of trouble with this so any help seriously helps. Thanks

 

Personally, I don't think the screen is all that important if you have a good fuel filter.

It is OK to let the inlet valve bottom out against the seat (that is what it is designed to do) as long as you did not put any significant amount of pressure on it. It is no problem for it to touch the seat, you just don't want to damage the rubber tip. If the rubber tip looks smooth and undamaged, you should be OK.

I don't know what to say about which setting to use. It is always difficult when carbs get swapped. Was there a small triangular metal tag on the carb with the carb number stamped on it?

 

Just look at the sheet and scan down the settings. You will usually find the majority of the models have the same settings, with a few odd ball settings mixed in. I would use the most common settings on the sheet. For instance the float level setting. You will probably find 20 of them with the same setting, and 5 or 6 with a different setting. Use the setting that is use for the 20 applications and avoid the settings for the 5 or 6 applications.