1963 speedifour 75 hp

ctaylor2069

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I just recently got my motor running and it will only run if I'm on the throttle a little . Will not run on idle and also needs choke half or all the way on to run. Any ideas?
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Sounds like the carburetor is fouled.... remove, clean, and rebuild it as needed.
 

ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Anything particular I should be looking for or anything special I should do when I tear it apart?
 

boobie

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Be careful with the gaskets. Some may be hard to find.
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

That model willl have two brass high speed jets located behind the drain screws. Carefully clean those with a piece of single strand steel wire. That's probably the cause of your problem anyway.
 
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ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Joe I pulled everything apart and cleaned it. But I don't know what screws your talking about or the drain screws. I have slow speed ones with nobs in them . Are they in the carb?
 

ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Joe I pulled everything apart and cleaned it. But I don't know what screws your talking about or the drain screws. I have slow speed ones with nobs in them . Are they in the carb?
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

You have a two barrel downdraft carburetor. There are two slotted 7/16" hex bolts at the bottom front portion of the carburetor... these are the drain screws I spoke of. The high speed jets are aways back of these drain screws... they're brass and are screwed into the aluminum fuel passageways.

Pertaining to adjusting the carburetor.... read on.


(Carburetor Adjustments - Older V/4 Downdraft Carb)
(J. Reeves)

NOTE: The early model downdraft carburetors incorporated "Adjustable High Speed Jets". The later model downdraft carburetors used "Fixed High Speed Jets". The high speed jets would be located in back of the two bottom drain screws. Follow the below instructions accordingly.

NOTE: If you do not have adjustable high speed jets, ignore those paragraphs pertaining to same...... BUT do make sure that you manually inspect and clean the two brass fixed high speed jets which would be located in back of the two 7/16" slotted hex head bolts in the bottom front portion of the float chamber.

Lift the center High Speed Control lever and turn it so that the point faces forward, resting on the high ridge. This will disengage the lever control gear from the individual high speed jets (slots). Have the slow speed needle valve knobs installed upside down so that they can be turned without encountering any obstruction.

Gently seat each of the High Speed needle valves, then back each one out one (1) turn. Gently seat each of the Slow Speed needle valves, then back each one out one and one half (1-1/2) turns. NOTE... have the jam nut on the s/speed needles snug so that vibration won't have any effect on them, but loose enough so that you can turn them without a great amount of effort.

(High Speed)
With a reliable person at the wheel, and one kneeling in front of the engine, start the engine (yes, it will run lousy with the above initial needle valve settings), put it into forward gear, and apply full throttle. Start with the High Speed adjustment on the left using a screwdriver that properly fits the slot.

(High Speed Adjustments)
At full throttle, with the proper size screwdriver, slowly start turning one of the H/S needles in segments of 1/8 turn, waiting momentarily for the engine to respond, then repeat turning. You will reach a point where the engine will start to die out. At that point, back that needle valve out approximately 1/4 turn. Now, go to the other High Speed needle valve and repeat that procedure. At some point in that 1/4 turn out, you will find the smoothest high speed setting (you can now lower the throttle rpm). That will have both high speed needle valves set correctly, and at that point you can lift that center lever adjustment of that high ridge, keeping it lifted until the point is facing the engine, then lower it into its proper position. (When you turn that lever now, you're adjusting both High Speed needle valves at the same time.)

(Slow Speed Adjustments)
Now, lowering the rpms of course, take the engine out of gear and set the throttle just to where the engine will stay running. Again, in segments of 1/8 turn, slowly start turning in one of the slow speed needle valves, waiting a few seconds between each turning for the engine to respond. As you turn the s/speed needles in, the rpms will increase..... and as it does, lower the rpms to where the engine will just stay running (otherwise the rpms will climb quite high). You will reach a point whereas the engine will either start to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back the needle valve out 1/4 turn. Repeat the process with the remaining slow speed needle. Again, at some point in that 1/4 turn out, you will find the smoothest setting. When finished, tighten the jam nut somewhat, then remove and reinstall the s/speed knobs correctly (right side up).
 

ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

Thanks Joe I'll try it when I get home from work.
 

ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

So I took the beast out today and it tuns like a rapped ape as long as your in the throttle. It will not idle and I have cleaned and tuned everything. But once I get in the throttle she RIPS I mean she goes all torqey and fast. Any other ideas why it won't idle ?
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

So I took the beast out today and it tuns like a rapped ape as long as your in the throttle. It will not idle and I have cleaned and tuned everything. But once I get in the throttle she RIPS I mean she goes all torqey and fast. Any other ideas why it won't idle ?

If you adjusted the carburetor as I detailed... double check the compression of all cylinders (100+ psi?), then with the spark plugs removed check the spark to see if the spark will jump a 1/4" gap with a strong blue lightning like flame... a real SNAP! What are your findings?

If compression and spark is as it should be and the carburetor is adjusted as it should be... the synchronization between the distributor and carburetor may not be correct. You'll need to look that up in a service manual.
 

ctaylor2069

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

How did I know you were going to make it difficult Joe. Lol I like quick easy fixes hahahah. Thanks for the input. If I had bad compression or bad spark. Why would it run so well when I give it throttle it doesn't hesitate or miss or anything it runs like a champ . Its only idle
 

racerone

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

There are some linkage adjustment that absolutely must be right on for that engine to idle properly.--------Most folks are not aware on how to adjust these motors.----If throttle is open too soon the motor will not idle !!!!
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1963 speedifour 75 hp

If you don't have a manual, send me a PM and state your email address. I'll send you the 5 page procedure out of the service manual.

Also, let me know if that engine is Automotive Ignition or Magneto Ignition as it could be either.
 
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