thanks for the reply
after a quick bit of research, it looks like a special gauge is needed but apparently not required for checking/adjusting the float level...
is this something autozone or a similar store would have available?
I have an edelbrock carb, 800cfm thunderseries w/electric choke...
this link is where i started:
http://www.hillmanimages.com/912/fu_7.html
seems like you can adjust without a gauge, but is that really a good idea?