8. What are the pros and cons of removing the fixed main jet found in late model carburetors and installing an adjustable main jet?

An adjustable main jet is very convenient if you are planning to do a lot of long-distance motoring. Our intracoastal cruising customers like them because they can fine-tune their mixtures to a fuel consumption in the range of 1/2 to 3/4 gallons per hour.

An adjustable main jet can also cure the tendency that many earlier late model carburetors had to run a bit rich. In many cases, an adjustable main jet will enable you to lean out the fuel mixture enough to clean up sooty spark plugs, particularly in engines that have good compression (90 psi or above) and are otherwise performing well.

For many weekend sailors (particularly those with very poor access to the carburetor), the adjustable jet represents additional hassle they don't feel they need. - Updated: November 4, 2003