15hp Johnson vintage outboard help to noob please

[Rwed]

I bought a vintage Johnson 15hp. My guess its 50's model. Guy sold me said to unhook fuel line and run carb out or it floods. So i took carb apart. And cleaned it. Didn't rebuild it yet. And it ran better.but i couldn't restart it. Like he said i might. Its old school Johnson with low and high screws where i can adjust them with knobs on the outside of cowl. It's my first post. My first Johnson. Please be kind.i don't even know if I'll be alerted to the answers.

 

[oldboat1]

Post a picture with the hood on. Initial setting for the top needle is 1 1/2 from lightly closed. Bottom is about 1 turn open.

Should start at that setting -- final adjustments when warmed up on the water.

 

[Joe Reeves]

What's the "Model Number" of that engine?

(Carburetor Adjustments - Two Adjustable N/Vs)
(J. Reeves)

Initial settings are: Bottom high speed = seat gently, then open 1 turn out. Top slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Setting the high and low needle valves properly:

NOTE: For engines that DO NOT have a shift selection, obviously there is no NEUTRAL position. Simply lower the rpms to the lowest setting to obtain the low speed needle valve adjustment.

(High Speed) Start engine (it will run pretty rough), shift into forward gear, take up to full throttle. In segments of 1/8 turn, waiting for the engine to respond between turns, start turning in the bottom high speed needle valve. You'll reach a point whereas the engine will either start to die out or spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the needle valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest setting.

(Low Speed) Slow the engine down to where it just stays running. Shift into neutral. Again in segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the top needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running. Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back. Again, at that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

When you have finished the above adjustments, you will have no reason `to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.

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[oldboat1]

^^Best instruction on iBoats for carb settings! When you have it dialed in, snug up the jam nuts to tighten the needles in place (just tight enough to keep them from rattling loose).

 

[F_R]

Unless the coils have already been replaced, they need to be. All original Johnson coils of that vintage are no good (cracked), and will cause the grief you are experiencing. People are always quick to blame it on the carburetor in error. Remove the recoil starter, and the thin cover off the flywheel and take a peek through the inspection hole in the flywheel for a looksee.

 

[Rwed]

Model number fd-10 s. serial #1454723

 

[Rwed]

So. First of all thanks you guys.
That was helpful post about carb tuning.
so. Inside carb there's a tiny washer gasket that goes goes between two halves in the center of the float. So that crumbled. I bought rubber washer at hardware store but i think its slightly thinner. The question. How important is the tight seal on that? Also other question. When i pump gas it squirts out top hole on the carb where needle sits. Also. After shutting it down had leaks Out at the air intake. Dribbles down the fast needle

 

[F_R]

Your motor is a 1956.

Get a carb rebuild kit and install all the new gaskets and float valve. If you get an OEM kit, it will contain a new float also.

Hey, I wasn't kidding when I mentioned the coils. Have you looked yet??

 

[F_R]

Just thought you might like to know, that motor in original color and styling is popular among collectors and restorers. Wonder why somebody painted it white?

 

[Rwed]

F_r.
haven't checked coils yet. The motor runs good once it gets going. And it started like a champ. Now i have hard time getting it going. Where can i order this kit. Does this website carry it? I only got this motor few weeks ago. I don't know why it was pained white.

 

[Rwed]

ok, ordered carb kit. should be here next friday, thanks again for the help. I'll be back I just bought 15 evinrude 1954 model today. so i might need to restore that bad boy.