1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

SPK

Seaman
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
55
Hi again,
Still working on this old motor with a lot of success but require a bit more information.

The background:

3.3 Mile master fuel tank with excellent pressure and good hissing sound when cap is loosened at end of run. No leaks.
Motor starts well and runs well at WOT and at idle. I get many compliments at the dock from people who see this motor and hear it running.

However, if at idle for an extended period of time, say 45 min. to an hour some missing[misfiring- spluttering, like you would think a bit of dirt was going through] is evident when trolling. Engine does not quit, but starts to run unevenly. It will level out again and then start to miss a bit again[still trolling] A bit inconsistent. Can take it back up to WOT with no problem and can cruise along without missing a beat for as long as I want.

Fuel filter and glass bowl are clean and priming through carb with bowl off is very good. Bowl stays full of fuel when running and maintains level in bowl over night; no leaking back through male fuel fitting.
O rings in female fitting have been replaced and there is no leaking at all.

Currently I am using Champion J4C spark plugs at .030 gap.

Needle valves are set according to specs and have been fine tuned on the water for best performance.[And as I said, most of the time she runs great unless trolling for an extended period of time]
Plugs look very good upon inspection - good colour
Gas tank is clean and new fuel is added to outboard tank through a screened funnel.
Current gas oil/ ratio is 24 to 1 and I realize there are many differing opinions on this.
I have been adding Sea Foam to my mix at 2 oz. per gallon and am on about my third tank.
I have good water circulation coming out of the motor.

So what do you think might be causing this spluttering[misfire] after say an hour of running?
I would expect that if it were ignition coils the problem would be apparent after a warm up of the engine.
Would I be better to use J6C plugs, which I have? What about B6S NGK?
Would changing the lower unit gearcase lube be a good idea?

I have a hunch that the problem has a simple solution as most of the time I have good performance. I am not fearful of the motor leaving me stranded with only the oars to rely on. I can turn it off to cast for a while if I want and it starts right up on a pull or two.
I look forward to any and all input on this topic as your experience is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Sean.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

The Champion J4C was the original plug for that engine, SPK. It exhibited the idle/trolling behavior you mention.

Some wrenches solved it by regapping to .040" and others by switching to the J6C plug, gapped at .030".

Either one is worth a try. I found in my small JohnnyRudes of that period that I preferred regapping the J4C to .040".

Most engines still in use have been converted to the J6C plug at .030".

Good luck, and let us know your results. :)
 

lindy46

Captain
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
3,886
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

If I troll a lot, I use J6C gapped at .035". No more fouling.
 

SPK

Seaman
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
55
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

Thanks JB, did you find better trolling results by gapping the J4C to .040?
Sean.
 

buster01

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 15, 2006
Messages
30
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

SPK,
I have the same motor in immaculate condition. Just rebuilt the carb today and did a test run in a tank. I set the low speed needle at 0.75 turn and the high speed needle at 1.5 turns out.

It started the first pull, which does not really suprise me much.
Q: I use the Champion J6C plugs at 0.30" gap and a 24:1 fuel mixture, do you get much smoke at idle?
 

kfa4303

Banned
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
6,094
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

yeah. you'll get a fair amount of smoke and oil residue at idle, especially in a test tank. It gets much better on open water at higher rpms.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

The factory recommended plug and the original plug was a J6C, originally a J6J

For the factory spark plug chart, use this link:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/BRP/SparkPlugChart2008.pdf

That chart is in error, seahorse. It is not the OMC factory chart. Refer to The 1964 Johnson Service Manual for the Johnson factory chart. The error is trivial, but it is an error. OMC stopped using the J6J in 1957 and went to the J4J through 1964.

If they changed back to the J6J later, it was not the original in 1958.

It really doesn't matter. Which plug and which gap you use is a matter of choice and use. Either will work at either gap.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 1958 johnson 7.5 spark plug question

Thanks JB, did you find better trolling results by gapping the J4C to .040?
Sean.

No. I used the J4C for all-round use. The J6C at .030 is a better trolling plug.
 
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