OK, I have now managed to get the NC35 carbs back in (thanks for the advice in my other post, I used a lump of wood....), but I do have now a major fuel leak coming out of the overflow tubes. It seems that the bowls of carburettor 2 and 3 are over filling.
I removed the air filter assembly and checked the carburettors, of course number 2 and 3 where filled up with fuel (butterfly swimming in fuel...).

I did clean up the carburettors a few weeks ago (complete disassembly).

What kind of stupid thing have I done now?
floats too high?

Yer float issue would be my first guess too.

just the thought of having to remove the carbs.....

fixed, it was a sticky needle and wrong float level. I do have now a new issue but I will open up a new post.