I replaced the standing pilot burner. Now the flame is much larger than before I replaced it. Flame = 8"?

When I replaced the standing pilot on my 25 year old Utica boiler as the old one broke during maintenance. After it was installed I turned the gas on and lit the pilot. It stayed lit but now the flame is about 8" tall. This is much larger then it previously was using the old burner. It's not blue either...more of a "fire" look. Could the old burner embly have been gunked up that much? Any help is appreciated.