[DMXF]

Fuel level relative to the AV passage is the primary parameter. The measurement in many manuals referencing the top of the float is a secondary parameter derived from the AV passage method intended to be easier to measure. If the fuel level is too high, fuel would come out of the venturi. If fuel is coming out out of the pump jets, then it sounds to me like the check valves may be bad in the jets. If you have more modern made webers or newer jets in older carbs, that may be the cause, because there have been many problems with new weber part quality (leaks, etc), incl with needle valves.