The check ball is there as a one-way valve. Gas can flow in for the accelerator pump but when the plunger pumps, gas goes out the spigots. The APT (Adjustable Part Throttle) was set at the Rochester factory by means of a big fancy analyzer/computer to pass emissions. But WE use it to tune for best performance. It raises and lowers the rods a bit for better take-off power. If you have an exhaust analyzer you are better than me. I just use the seat-o'-the-pants meter. Doug Roe's excellent book explains all this better than I can.