Help! Jetting 26's with pods and header.

I thought I would try and get a set of VM 26 carbs going and try swapping them out from good running 28’s. The bike has a header and pods. It thought I read on here that the common jetting was 120 mains and 20 pilots, one down on the clip.
Drove the bike about 3 miles and fouled the plugs out! I thought this was the setting everyone was using! There was a dead spot right off idle but only slight, they did run ok but not like my 28’s which I love.
These are 76 carbs with the air screws on the side.
Oh, 1980 LTD 1000.

First ? that comes to mind is, why would you do that if the 28's were running good. Swapping in a set of 26's is a downgrade.

If not already done, would first assure fuel levels are within specs (clear tube test), before addressing jet sizes.

Good Fortune!

So the jet sizes are the same as what others are using with pods and header?

Do you have a baffle in the header? Try removing it. That is the jetting I would run.

I got 22.5 pilot, needle jet in middle stock pos, 120 mains. on my 76. 26mm carbs, pods, header. baffle out of my header

i had 20 pilots and clip in the 4th pos and had a little hesitation when i first got on the throttle and it was running rich while cruising so i switched. seems to run pretty good now.

Thanks asevans. I suppose if I move the clip back to stock then my pilots wont be enough and Ill have to do the 22.5's?