I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

[jwilkey84]

I have this old motor that I am trying to get going this winter. I did some things last fall to it and here is what I know: compression is good, spark is good, impellor new, carb kit installed, still runs like crap. It will start and run but not idle well also when you give it more throttle it bogs out. Usuall after it runs for a few mintes it takes some time before it will start again. I did bend the sharp end of the lean/rich needle slightly when installing the carb kit, but I did my best to straighten it back out. What I did was I just curled the tip over, is this something to be concerned about at this point? What can I do to make this thing run good? Since the compression is good I can't imagine it can be anything too serious. Thanks for the help, any ideas would be appreciated

 

[HighTrim]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

If spark and compression check out, it is time to look to fuel delivery. How old is the fuel? Have you removed the plugs to check their condition? Will pumping the primer bulb pick it back up again? How about spraying pre mix into the carbs?

Who rebuilt the carbs? Were they fully rebuilt and bathed? It seems as if they are suspect. If it is dying when put in gear, look to see if the timer base (starboard side, under the edge of the flywheel, linked to the throttle lever) moves smoothly without sticking when you advance the throttle.

Take the airbox cover off & observe whether the throttle plates are parallel.

Also, the timer base should start it's travel before the throttle plates start to open, or your old girl will die instantly when you give her the throttle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

new needle, and possible seat. then this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

Hightrim, I forgot to tell you the plugs are new and so is the gas. It also seems to make no difference when you pump the primer bulb, the bulb remains firm. I am the one who installed the carb kit. It was very clean before I did the kit, but i thought the only way to cross that off of my list was to buy the kit and install it, and that is what I did. All of the passageways were checked, cleaned, and blown out with compressed air. I am not real familiar with what you are talking about in the second part of your response, but i did notice a plastic spring loaded piece that looks like it has hit the flywheel or something and has broke the end off of it. That piece is located on the same side of the motor as the shift lever up by the flywheel. Please excuse my terrible ability to explain the part as the motor isn't sitting in front of me and I will look harder in the manual to find out what the part is actually called

 

[HighTrim]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

Perhaps you could find it on here and let us know the part number.

"http://www.crowleymarine.com/brp_parts/1148.cfm"

 

[DJ]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

I did bend the sharp end of the lean/rich needle slightly when installing the carb kit, but I did my best to straighten it back out. What I did was I just curled the tip over, is this something to be concerned about at this point?

As mentioned, at a minimum, you have to replace those parts. Needle and its seat.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

it appears to be a lockout lever cam, as near as I can tell. The part I am talking about is connected to the throttle and when you give it more throttle this piece moves in toward the part that spins when you pull the manual start rope. I wonder if this is a safety device that prevents someone from pulling the start rope when the motor is already running. Anyway the tip of this piece is broke off, but I have a feeling this has nothing to do with the way the motor is performing.
I tried talking to the previous owner about the condition of the motor when the boat was parked a couple of years ago, but I don't think he has the first clue about it. He told me it ran fine but the lower unit was shot. He said it ran but would not go anywhere and it wasn't worth fixing. But the first thing I noticed when I acquired the boat was that the prop shear pin was busted, so that would explain why the boat wouldnt move, woundn't it? I think I just have to find out how to make the engine run good and I will have something

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

replace the needle and seat, do the synch n' link procedure. It should run fine as long as the carb was assembled correctly.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

does this sound like a magneto/points problem, outside of the fact that I need a new needle and seat? This boat probabl sat for at least 2 years with no attention. Would it be worth my time to take off the flywheel and take a look around?

 

[ezeke]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

I think that whywhyzed is trying to tell you that the motor cannot run properly with a bad needle and seat and that it is the first priority.

I agree.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

Get a new needle and seat. Then if it still does it you might have missed something in the carb. You might have to re clean it. Sometimes you miss something. did you remove the core plugs and clean behind them?

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

I understand I need a new needle and seat, but the motor ran the same after I messed up the needle as it did before, so I don't think that is my main problem. I just like to order the parts at once to avoid $10 shipping charge on a $5 part time and time again. Yes I took out, cleaned, and replaced all of the plugs in the carb, and they didn't even look dirty to begin with. But I do have one question. I was looking at a diagram for the carb and I noticed a piece labeled "lead shot". What does the piece of leald shot do? Is it just a type of plug as well? I didn't take that out and look in there, should I. If so, why wasn't that included in my carb kit? Thanks?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

They are used to fill holes during the manufacturing process.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: I need help with winter project, 1972-73 johnson 20hp

Ok, I just took off the carbuerator again to do another inspection before I start tearing other things apart, like the points and stuff. Like I expected, it was clean as a whistle. But I did go ahead and adjust the float level a little as it didn't quite have the 3/4 inch gap as instructed. I only have one more question about the carb and then I will be confident that my problem isn't in the carb. what is the needle valve bearing used for. I have the parts diagram that shows where it goes, but I did not use it when I rebuilt my carb, since there wasn't one there before. But tonight I tried to install it where it should go but I cannot for the life of me get the needle valve to screw in with the bearing in place. the tip of the needle valve goes through the bearing but the I cannot get the threads on the needle valve to pass through such a small hole. Is that bearing essential?