1959 Johnson 5.5 Carburetor adjustment

[outboardsusa]

I have a 1959 Johnson CD-16 5.5 hp on the front is a white high speed adjustment and in the middle is a red low speed adjustment, the high speed seems to be set and stays in the range from 1 to 6, the red low speed adjustment just seems to turn freely it is more loose, how do you set it right? I used to be as tight as the white one and stayed in the 1 to 6 range, thank you

 

[HighTrim]

Simply tighten packing nut behind it. 7/16" wrench. All done. May need new packing washers behind it if it will not tighten.

 

[outboardsusa]

Thank you, someone said to screw the needle valve in to the bottom and then unscrew it 3/4 of a turn and then set it there, thanks for the help

 

[HighTrim]

That is correct. 3/4 out from seated is the initial setting, then fine tune from there on the water.

 

[outboardsusa]

Thank you for your help

 

[outboardsusa]

The nut does turn with a 7/16 wrench but doesn't seem to tighten, I don't see any packing washers on it or in the parts diagram, there is a rubber washer where it goes into the carb, I don't know much about carbs I can do ignition and some recoils but carbs are not something I know, I'm sure it's some simple answer though thank you

 

[HighTrim]

There is definitely 2 packing washers behind each packing nut. Well, there should be anyways!

#48 in the parts list, part number 307583 or Sierra 18-7106-9

 

[outboardsusa]

I got it tightened down to the rubber washer don't want it too tight right? Video of carb cleaning showed the packing nut on the carb must have been another model, this one goes against the noise-reducing air intake, do I set the needle first at the 3/4 inch turn before tightening the nut? Thank you

 

[HighTrim]

No the packing washers are inside the carb itself. You would need to remove needles, packing nuts, silencer, etc... to get to them. You cannot see them now. But they should be in there. If tightening the packing nut does not help, they need changing.

To set needles, loosen packing nut and the knob on end. Turn in clockwise gently until bottoms out. Then back out high speed 3/4 of a turn, low speed 1 1/2 turns, tune on the water then reinstall knobs on ends of needles, and tighten packing nuts down snug so needles do not move.

 

[outboardsusa]

Thank you, when I reinstall the knob on the needle do I install it and tighten it up pointing in the center straight up? Packing nut seems to be ok, tightens I think the original problem was caused by it vibrating loose.

 

[HighTrim]

Yeah most guys like to put the knobs in the middle, facing each other, so that if they move again they will know.

 

[outboardsusa]

Thanks for your help

 

[outboardsusa]

It runs pretty smooth at high speed but not good at low speed, it won't run smooth at the shift setting, I checked the plugs they are firing as far as I know I set the low speed needle right, next I'll check the points and condensers

 

[Tim Frank]

check compression.

 

[outboardsusa]

Thank you very much for your help on my motor, I got a compression gauge and the readings were good, I put new plugs in the motor, I adjusted the low speed needle worked exactly like the instructions I got it idling smooth at the shift setting motor is running very smooth looks like tomorrow is a good day to take it out on the lake, thanks again bc