Hello all. I have a 1958 50 hp johnson, aka "fat fifty". I can not get this to start. I have had it about 6 years, and it has run great in the past. The problem started Memorial weekend. I was trolling with my son, and it acted like it loaded up then died. Could not get it restarted. Since then, it has run sporadically, but never like it had.
I have recently done a ring job thinking maybe crank case compression was the issue. Compression is now around 92 on all cylinders. it was 85-90 before the ring job. New crank seals, top and bottom. New plugs, rotor, points, condensor, and fuel lines. Have torn down the carb and cleaned it out 3 or 4 times, just to make sure everything looks clear. I have rebuilt the fuel pump. Reed valves all appear to be good.
I have good spark on all plugs. I have checked this by grounding them against the block when out of the head. I have the timing set correctly.
Now what it is doing. When I crank it over, it does not even try to fire up. It just dead cranks, like it is not getting fire. After trying to start it for a little bit, and I pull a plug, it appears dry, like it is not getting fuel.
If I dump a slug of fuel into each of the carb barrels, I still get the same result. No attempt to fire, and dry plugs.
I am at a loss as to why it is not starting. Please, any help is sincerely appreciated. I would like to get back out on the lake before the summer is over.
Thanks,
Chris
I have recently done a ring job thinking maybe crank case compression was the issue. Compression is now around 92 on all cylinders. it was 85-90 before the ring job. New crank seals, top and bottom. New plugs, rotor, points, condensor, and fuel lines. Have torn down the carb and cleaned it out 3 or 4 times, just to make sure everything looks clear. I have rebuilt the fuel pump. Reed valves all appear to be good.
I have good spark on all plugs. I have checked this by grounding them against the block when out of the head. I have the timing set correctly.
Now what it is doing. When I crank it over, it does not even try to fire up. It just dead cranks, like it is not getting fire. After trying to start it for a little bit, and I pull a plug, it appears dry, like it is not getting fuel.
If I dump a slug of fuel into each of the carb barrels, I still get the same result. No attempt to fire, and dry plugs.
I am at a loss as to why it is not starting. Please, any help is sincerely appreciated. I would like to get back out on the lake before the summer is over.
Thanks,
Chris
