carb rebuild question(s)

I’ve had a 40 hp 4cyl mercury for the last 12 years or so. I’ve changed plugs every few seasons, but nothing else. I noticed some fuel leaking from the carbs. The motor runs great, a little cold blooded, but otherwise it idles and runs w/o very well. I’m going to take the carbs apart and clean them good. I’m going to get a gasket set and fuel filter, along with new floats.
should I get a needle and seat as well?
I did the impeller year before last. Anything else I should do? Besides get a manual

Any ideas on who to go to for parts in the south metro?
any site sponsors?
Thanks for the help.

All I can say is MAKE SURE ALL CARBS ARE IN SINC after overhauling and adjusted, 1 set to lean and you have a hole in a piston ,1 set too rich and no top end or good idle ect… .

Having a manual for setting is crucial unless you know exactly where to set carb jets at.

If it runs good see if you see where gas is coming out and fix that area not touching the adjustments. Just a thought.

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All I can say is MAKE SURE ALL CARBS ARE IN SINC after overhauling and adjusted, 1 set to lean and you have a hole in a piston ,1 set too rich and no top end or good idle ect… .

Having a manual for setting is crucial unless you know exactly where to set carb jets at.

If it runs good see if you see where gas is coming out and fix that area not touching the adjustments. Just a thought.

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Agree: might just be a gasket

Thanks Trumar, Igotone. I was going to just clean and replace float and gaskets. I do have someone I can get help from who knows outboards very well. I found a breakdown of the carb(s) online. I don’t think I will need to touch the adj. to replace the float and spray out the carb in general. I’ll be sure to ask him some questions before I get started.

Any ideas on a good place to get parts at a good price? online or local is okay.

The last parts I got were from marineengine.com. Price was really good and they shipped me some substitute fuel line and when I called them, they sent me extra hose to make it longer for free. I never get service like that.

Replace the fuel line. It’s cheap. Get a good line all the way to the tank also. Yes you want every gasket new and definitely new needle and seat, it should be part of the carb kit and it sounds like it is your problem anyway.