1965 Johnson 18 HP Timing issue

[dpostman21]

1965 Johnson 18 HP does not seem to get full RPM and seems a but slow to spin up. It starts usually on the first pull and runs fine not back firing except once in a while on start it may take 2 or 3 pulls. I bought the motor and it had a receipt from a marine repair shop that rebuilt the card, replaced fuel lines, tested compression and that was fine (I have not tested for myself yet). It appeared that the bottom cylinder was not getting a good burn and was blacking plugs pretty quick so I thought it was electrical.


Video (sorry it sideways) https://goo.gl/photos/r5Nr63LfuzoytP9j8

Here is what I have done.
Changed Points, Plugs, Spark Plug Wires, condensers, tested coils tested out a .6 ohms (bought new but the original one were OEM and I bought after market) the aftermarket ones test much higher so I left the OEM ones in. I have good spark on both cylinders.

What I noticed when I was setting the points was on the cam were it said top and I set the point to .02 the cylinders were already on there way down (I assumed top meant top)

Is that normal?

As always you folks are awesome helping out and its greatly appreciated.

 

[flyingscott]

What about the fuel pump have you checked that

 

[dpostman21]

No I have not checked that, figured it either worked or it didn't. But I shouldn't assume anything

 

[flyingscott]

Fuel pumps can work but the diaphragms get brittle and don't flex as much harder to push fuel.

 

[dpostman21]

thanks!!

 

[lindy46]

What I noticed when I was setting the points was on the cam were it said top and I set the point to .02 the cylinders were already on there way down (I assumed top meant top)

Is that normal?

As always you folks are awesome helping out and its greatly appreciated.

"Top" on the cam means that is the side of the cam which goes up, and is not necessarily the high point on the cam. The high point coincides with the flywheel key, and it is at that point where you should set the points to .020".

 

[dpostman21]

Thanks for the information. I inadvertently set them at .002 instead of .02 surprised it ran, but it idled ok just no top end.

Does the throttle position matter when setting points?

 

[RCO]

Throttle position doesn't matter, you just need to set the points to .020 when the arm is lined up with the crankshaft key. That should be the furthest open position.

 

[dpostman21]

I have been setting the points at the TOP position, should I be setting them when the plastic guide that rubs the shaft is inline with the key? see below pic and thank you for the help.

https://goo.gl/photos/mztCXzJm5sATz17X6

 

[lindy46]

I have been setting the points at the TOP position, should I be setting them when the plastic guide that rubs the shaft is inline with the key? see below pic and thank you for the help.

https://goo.gl/photos/mztCXzJm5sATz17X6

YES!

 

[dpostman21]

Thanks would this cause the lack oh high-end RPM? also the bottom cylinder seems to be burning black, top plug looks good. So all this time I have been setting the point way off.

Just so I am clear: I should turn motor until keyway is lined up with the plastic rider piece on the points???

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I do mine by just looking at the points and when they are open as far as possible, that is when I gap them. And yes that is at the keyway on the cam. When turning the crank you should be able to see the high spot on the cam.