What does "seat the needle valve" actually mean?

[dadurling]

I'm rebuilding the carb on a 1971 Johnson 4hp. Found some great advice here on adjusting the needle valves. But I'm a little confused about installing them. All the manuals and forum posts say to install the packing washers, then "seat the valve gently" and then back off the appropriate turns (high speed - open 1 turn, low - open 1 1/2 turns).
What exactly does "seat gently" mean? Do I turn the needle valves by hand until I feel them snug up, then back them out? Also, do I install the packing nuts before or after the needle valves?

 

[F_R]

Re: What does "seat the needle valve" actually mean?

It means screw it all the way in till it hits bottom--Gently! Do not force or you will damage it. Then back it out the prescribed number of turns.

You can go ahead and install the packings and nut, just don't tighten the nut till after you have made the preliminary adjustment.