Surfin: It is sort of like torquing a head I found snugging up the # 2&3 first and working my way out to the #1&4 works best and checking as you go like you said.
Did you ever get those pilot jets out and clean them? If not you may be taking every thing apart again
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That is why it took me two trys
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If any of those little holes are plugged it really screws up the idle
About those springs and washers I have had luck with carb cleaner put the red straw past the washer it may break loose and fall down over the red straw if not you will have to use a small pick to get them out. First time I did a rebuild I did not see them and put another set on top of the old ones
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That does not work to good.
Ken