Most carbs with which I have been associated have the float parallel to the carb casting flange (where it bolts up to the bowl) as viewed with the carb held upside down with just it's weight. You need enough room for enough fuel to fill the bowl to force the majority of the float to rise high enough to exert enough pressure on the needle valve to seal it off considering there can be some bending of the interconnecting between the metal between the float and the tab that connects to the needle. Gut feel check is install the carb with the bowl off. With engine off and squeeze bulb in one hand and a finger on the far end of the float, move the float up until it seals off the fuel. If you have room to spare between the float and the main carb housing then you should be good to go. That may not be the right way, but it has worked for me for some 50+ years of boating and working on engines.
