dude, if your float was stuck the carb would run over out the bowl vent tube. what you are experiencing is a "WARPED" body that is very typical to a rochester B series carb. putting sealant or cranking down the bolt will cause you more problems. go to
www.stovebolt.com and do a search: carbking,carb,rochester and you will find the fix for this problem. it involves taking carb apart putting it on a baking sheet with weight on top in heated oven(somewhere around 250 deg.?) for? minutes. what you will do is check it with straightedge every so often. if your gasket rips and need new kit here is napa # 2-5158 under $15. good luck!