Hi; I've worked on a several carbs now. Recalling from memory I've had three or four that have had this EXACT problem during pop-off leakdown testing. Essentially I'll get leakage from the top of the fuel body, where it touches the carb; right above where the fuel filter is placed. Sometimes a rebuild kit fixes it; usually trying to re-flatten the fuel body doesn't help. How necessary is the gasket I circled? Can I just run it without it? When removed it doesn't leak anymore. I've also tried to raise the gasket below that gasket I circled and sometimes it'll help.
TLDR Can I remove this gasket? I've even tried the thicker and thinner version of it.
TLDR Can I remove this gasket? I've even tried the thicker and thinner version of it.