1959 johnson FD13 (18Hp) outboard. Starting question

[frobotz]

This motor belonged to my grandfather and was willed to my father with the 16 foot Larson. The motor had not ran in years. I cleaned the carb, and poured some fuel down the hose into the bowl and it fired up . I did inspect and clean the plugs and fogged the cylinders as well as change lower unit lube prior to starting. Anyhow it fired up and ran. My question is regarding setting on the fuel/air knobs on the carb. I have one small pointer (from what I know its the idle air screw) and it has a large knob behind it. What setting do I put them on to tune the motor? it runs fine at full throttle but doesn't seem to idle. Didn't have a lot of time to mess with it today , but would like to get it running smooth and back in operation on the boat for my dad. thanks

 

[F_R]

No Title

High speed knob (lower one) about 3/4 turn open. Slow speed knob about 1-1/2 turns open. This is just for beginning. After that, it needs to be on a boat, on the lake to make final adjustments at wide open throttle and idle.

Have you checked the ignition system? ALL 1959 Johnson twins have bad (cracked) coils unless they have already been replaced. If they are the originals and cracked, they WILL let you down.

The old water pump impeller will let you down also, and possibly burn up the motor. Don't take a chance with it.

 

[frobotz]

AGREED. I have a water pump on order. My knobs are not lower or higher. One around the other. The outter knob turns only bout 3.4 turn from stop to stop and the inner knob is attached to the low speed jet. I will check the coils. thanks for the advice.

 

[racerone]

Well now the lower adjustment is the high speed !---The upper needle is the low speed.---It just happens on your model they put them together on the front panel.----And if the outer knob only turns so far you need to look and see where you pull that off the needle to adjust properly !

 

[frobotz]

thanks