Tm24 flat needle and other questions

[newmanlammy]

Starting problem just appeared on my GP185 with tm24 mikuni, plug dry after repeated kicks so stripped carb and found pilot jet blocked, cleared and eventually started but now wont re-start. Is there any other fine drillings etc to clear on pilot circuit ?

Also noticed that carb wont sit true vertical, sits at slight angle and this got me thinking about float level, how do you set this level and to what height? when stripped bowl seamed to be full to top and i noticed that float needle tip is bright metal not coated and seat is metal not soft seated, is this normal??? all other float needles I have ever seen are coated on the tip.
When the engine was running and reved noticed the odd drip from the overflow pipe but not a continuous stream coming out.