Shortening Needle Valves

[Rich Jones]

On my Lauterbach build I’m running into a clearance issue with the WT-257 carb. I can’t cut the deck out any more under the cowl without creating an unsightly hole in the deck/cowl so the only other solution would be to cut the needles shorter. Has anyone done this? What if any issues should I look out for?

 

[Buckshot]

Yes they can be cut. I use a cut off wheel to trim and re-cut slots for screw driver adjustment. Leave enough length to install a needle lock.

 

[Rich Jones]

Yes they can be cut. I use a cut off wheel to trim and re-cut slots for screw driver adjustment. Leave enough length to install a needle lock.

Yes that’s a good thought on still being able to get a clamp on there!

 

[rhomodel]

You can also replace the needles with those from a 644. These are short by themselves already (did that on my slingshot to get the SG fitted). But cutting will do the trick as well....

 

[Rich Jones]

You can also replace the needles with those from a 644. These are short by themselves already (did that on my slingshot to get the SG fitted). But cutting will do the trick as well....

You can also replace the needles with those from a 644. These are short by themselves already (did that on my slingshot to get the SG fitted). But cutting will do the trick as well....

You can also replace the needles with those from a 644. These are short by themselves already (did that on my slingshot to get the SG fitted). But cutting will do the trick as well....

Good info man, thanks! I cut them down and re-slotted. I based the height on having them backed out to 2 1/4 on the low and about 1 1/8 or so on the high. I had clearance with no clamp but issues again once the clamp went on. I flattened the top front corner and back in biz until I inserted the button cap hex screws. Once again clearance issues. So I’m going to go ahead and take a little more off the entire top of the clamp and I think I’ll countersink some flat head screws in it.

 

[Ray Sametz]

You can eliminate the needle lock altogether, just bridge both needles with a large piece of fuel tubing. It holds them in place fine, and can adjust without having to loosen needle lock.

 

[Rich Jones]

You can eliminate the needle lock altogether, just bridge both needles with a large piece of fuel tubing. It holds them in place fine, and can adjust without having to loosen needle lock.

I like that idea Ray. I’ve tried the individual pieces of fuel tubing before on each needle but they were moving anyway. Bridging the two sounds like it would work great. Thanks for your input pal!

 

[Daniel's Racing]

I like that idea Ray. I’ve tried the individual pieces of fuel tubing before on each needle but they were moving anyway. Bridging the two sounds like it would work great. Thanks for your input pal!

Did you just put on the tubing ? because that won't work at all.

You put just the tubing they will act like gears and as they rub each other it will surely turn the needles.

It must have a tywrap too or it will be worse than not having the tubing on them at all.

 

[Buckshot]

Fuel tubing and a zip tie needle lock.

 

[Ray Sametz]

Never moved on me, maybe I wasn't going fast enough.