so I am going through my carb among other things on the lovely 360 I inherited. It appears to be the original 3300 mile carb that the bike came with. These carbs have 2 individual floats that run up and down on 2 "posts" that are pressed into the bowl. each post has a groove machined into the top. I came across a picture that showed some sort of little brass cap or acorn looking thing at the top of that post with the floats installed.. I can't find any parts manual or breakdown that shows these parts. any ideas? are they needed for the floats to function?

I don't believe that they affect function, but are belt and braces to keep the floats in place when reassembling.

Not needed

I'm sure i don't need to mention--but anyway-- the side pin on the floats goes at the bottom.
Saw someone at work once assemble them up the other way so the pins contacted the float arm at rest & kept the valve shut so no fuel entering.

Not meant to confuse but oddly enough "some" Mikuni carbs actually need the pins on the top of the float...  I believe it's some of the the larger body versions that are made this way... 

So now forget what I said and do what RT325 suggested...  I just wanted to point out that some Mikunis you might come across are bass ackwards so it's a good idea to note it when disassembling if you can remember. 

Sounds like a dissagreement brewing Mark haha.
I hate appologising, so without stiring the pot i'd like to see evidense of that.
Sorry if that sounds terrible, not meant to be. bit of fun--umm--till i lose!!.

I like the videos this guy does. Goes to the extreme to explain things.
I must admit dragged it along but could be worth a watch for those needing general carb info for older yamahas.
All his videos i've stumbled on while searching have been great.

Floats may well have fitting orientation on them - see link.

FLOAT for DT360 1974 USA - order at CMSNL

well, I don't have the parts, so it's more than likely going together without anything. I may try and find a small E clip that fits

Brand new Mikuni carbs with the float pins no longer come with the retaining caps, even though the pins have the same ends that could accept a cap.  Not needed as Gr8uncleal said.  

RT325, I'm not going to argue on the floats...  could easily be my memory fooling me and I don't have any of the larger Mikuni carbs to check.