carb or not?

[DEWDIGGLER]

im stumped on this one,
my 76 ezgo started acting up and i cant beat the neighbers cart!

it cuts out at about 1/4 throttle, then 1/2 throttle, and again at full throttle.

1. cleaned carb & adjusted fuel/air needle jet 1 turn out
2. checked fuel supply to carb and all good
3. checked spark, was ok (kinda jumped around abit?)

ran it after that and she ran great!! so i thought lets go get the neighber.
oh, but i forgot to hook up the air cleaner.
SO KNOW im ready to go and the same thing happens

well looks like a air/ fuel problem (leaning to air)
so, i have adjusted the carb over and over again,
taken the filter out of the canister, etc. etc. and nothing helps unless i unhook the air cleaner hose.

what should i try next? i am open to all suggestions.
i am leaning towards buying a new carb but not sure if thats the problem.
or maybe just a new needle jet (not sure i can find 1)
could it possibly be the condenser?

i will try any thing you have for me.

thanks, Dew

[WILD-BILL]

Could it be a restricttion in the hose?

[DOOmsman]

Maybe rich because the needle has some junk and isn't shutting off all the way, and the extra air is using it?