1958 18hp Carb idles bad, runs great WOT

H

Hogie

Cadet
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
11
I'm at the lake, brought the 1958 18hp, It ran pretty good at home but get here and it won't idle....it hiccups every 10 seconds.

I took the carb off yesterday and cleaned the carb, meaning that I sprayed everything down with carb cleaner, I had an extra float in the parts box so I put that in...it ran pretty good for alittle while.
It won't idle without hiccups and then dying or it won't troll very low at all. It runs great at full wide open.

I've had to pull the choke after its been running, it shouldn't need to be choked.

When I remove the gas tank cap it relieves pressures and goes shhhhhhhhhhh! so it is holding pressure
 
Joe Reeves

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 1958 18hp Carb idles bad, runs great WOT

(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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