'57 Evinrude Fleetwin Carb

[R&DMACHINIST]

I got the carb removed an so far have only removed high speed needle screw and 5 screws which hold two main halves of unit together and thus have carb split in two pieces.The number on carb is #376404 and hat appears to be a "2" just below the middle 4.Was really surprised by the cork float,was expecting a hollow bras or aluminum one. The cork float has a varnished or shellacked appearence, is this ok or normal? Also what thickness should the main gasket that goes between the two halves be or does it have no relevance? Upon removing the high speed needle I noticed what appears to be a smashed o-ring or really deteriorated gasket inside the needle bore at bottom of threads.What should be here a gasket or o-ring? I know a gasket set isn't very expensive but just figured I could make my own gaskets rather than wait a week for a set to arrive!
Thanks,
Kurt