need help finding a needle for a carburetor for a sears 5hp gamefisher tecumseh motor

[danielsmith]

ok so i go this boat motor the other day for free. i solved the no spark issue then i took the carb apart to clean it and the rubber tipped needle that attaches to the float is missing and in its splace was a twisty tie that someone tried to rig up i quess. (no wonder i found this motor out by the street in the trash.) anyway after searching the net and ebay i found out that supposedly this needle is nla and obsolete. so i need to know how to track down a proper alternative. here is all the details and numbers i can find on my motor and carb.
sears 217-58991 which i found is a 1971 sears gamefisher ted williams etc.
it is a tecumseh with the number 610751 on the flywheel
the motor tag bolted on the side of the motor which i believe is a tecumseh number is t-643-15-a and also 6443469 all on the same tin tag.
on the carb it says 395 OE8
so where can i find a needle that will work, when i ebay searched tecumseh carb rebuild kits there are a bunch but how do i know if the needle in this kit will fit be the right length and width etc. thanks for any help in tracking down what and where i can get a missing needle.

 

[brim_buster]

Re: need help finding a needle for a carburetor for a sears 5hp gamefisher tecumseh m

I find mine on ebay...

 

[colbyt]

Re: need help finding a needle for a carburetor for a sears 5hp gamefisher tecumseh m

Check the carb very closely. During that era there was often a name somewhere. It sure looks like a Walbro but they all looked about the same. The name and numbers may be in different places.


EDIT: I finally got around to fooling with a generator I had in the garage. Tecumseh engine. They sure like to hide those carb numbers. I found it on the bottom flange rim (where it attaches to the motor).

Good wishes for finding yours. There are some new carbs on Eday for about the price we pay for a normal kit.