Carb clean- Float bowl passage: should it be plugged?

'81 XJ650
Pulled the carbs for cleaning- the passage that runs down the outside of the bowl, seemingly connected to the little hole in the bottom (the brass pickup goes into it) is completely clogged in all four carbs- which has me wondering if it should be sealed off- should I try to open it up with a small diameter drill bit, or leave it plugged?

 

It's one of the reasons you're cleaning the carbs.

Needs to NOT be plugged. You should be able to shoot a stream of carb cleaner across the room through it-- watch your eyes!

I prefer bristles plucked from my big parts cleaning brush for such things; others have used drills with good (and bad) results.

 

if i read this correct the passage your talking about is the enrichener for the choke brass tube that goes into a hole between the float chamber and outside of the float bowl. if it is you need to pull the choke plungers out of the top of the carbs to the carb cleaner thru them make sure the hole in the float bowl where the brass pipe goes isnt plugged spray carb cleaner should flow into float bowl

 

Thanks guys, thats what I need to know, and you're reading it correct cutlass
I really appreciate it

Can't wait to hear this thing fire up right for the first time- but of course this is after I bumble my way through fine cleaning, reassembly, and bench sync, not to mention whatever other problems I may run into

 

I heat the bowl up with a torch and give the passage a blast of compressed air.

 

I cleaned mine with a small welding torch cleaning tool, it's like a little serrated piece of wire and comes in several sizes. Useful for cleaning other jets as well.

 

I use a wire from a bread bag tie. They fit the hole almost perfectly without making the hole bigger. Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.