How do you know it is at 1/4 throttle? so than all needles are the same is what you are saying!
the needle and pilot are set up like a hole and a plug. When the needle is down very little fuel will get by the needle. As you give it more throttle you get smaller and smaller on the needle. when that happens you start receiving more fuel. It is not until the needle is all the way out that you are using 100% of the main jet.
I would take the pilots out of the carbs and make sure those are clean or even put the 30's in. I would definitely put the red needles in.