1957 Johnson 18hp help

[zino]

How do you increase the tension on the twist tiller, I have to hold the tiller tension, if I release it for a second, it drops down.

 

[steelespike]

I believe it is setup like that so it goes to idle if your not holding it. There is a possibility the coil armatures are dragging on the flywheel.

 

[racerone]

There should be a taper friction piece way up inside the twist grip handle.-------------Or perhaps the flywheel is rubbing on the coils and that will result in what you have .