1965 Johnson 6hp: dumb questions

[revkab]

Got my old 6hp Johnson running, seems to work pretty good.

Dumb question #1: I seem to have the best results starting it when it is at or near full throttle. Is this normal? Or is it a bad thing to do?

Dumb question #2: Can't find any kind of shut-off switch, so have been simply throttling all the way down and it shuts off then. Comments?

Dumb question #3: Can't seem to get the thing down far enough to what I might consider an "idle" speed without the motor simply dying, so haven't had much luck trying to figure out how to adjust the idle screw that has any effect on the motor. Any suggestions?

Last dumb question: I have read many times here that it is a bad idea to run fuel that is over 6 weeks old, or risk fouling the carb. I am currently using the recommended Johnson XD 30 2-stroke oil for the fuel mix. Does that oil contain fuel stabilizers? If not, can I use a fuel stabilizer such as Stabil to prolong the life of the fuel mix? Or a Weedeater 2-stroke oil with added in stabilizers?

Thanks!

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1965 Johnson 6hp: dumb questions

#1 and #3 are probably related, more on that in a bit.

Your oil does not have fuel stabilizers in it. And yes, you should use some if it's not going to get all used up right away. Your weedeater oil is not TCW3 rated I'm guessing. I wouldn't use it.

#2 - Not familiar with that exact year, but many of the smaller motors just rolled the throttle back until it died. No kill switch. Yours is probably the same.

Now, #1 and #3. Your idle circuits are probably all gunked up, which means it's time to rebuild and clean your carb. Just to be certain though, you are choking it right? Are you sure the choke is actually working?

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1965 Johnson 6hp: dumb questions

I have a 6 evinrude of similar vintage (somewhere in my father's garage) but I remember it well..."start" position as marked on the throttle control was wide open, and "kill" was all the way closed. We bought it brand new and used it regularly until maybe 1982 or so, with no maintenance at all except new spark plugs.

But I do remember it had a slow speed mixture adjustment - check out the "engine FAQ" section, there's a thread about setting carb mixture screws.

Don't put any oil in it that's not "TCW-3" certified.

6 weeks isn't really very old for gasoline, in my experience - I'd say 6 months is too old...and upwards of 4 months is taking chances. Just my opinion.

 

[revkab]

Re: 1965 Johnson 6hp: dumb questions

Yes - I am choking it (with the knob, not by squeezing it with both hands - although maybe that is what it means to "throttle" it...) and the choke does seem to work.

Thanks for the advice on the fuel stabilizer, and NO, I really wasn't thinking about using the weed eater oil, but like I said---dumb questions cuz I don't know better, yet.

The throttle markings might have existed at one time, but a previous owner generously slathered the entire motor, top to bottom, with camo paint to fool the little duckies.

How would I go about rebuilding the carbs? Is that something a novice could do, or should I find a pro? Any idea on availability of old manuals for this motor?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1965 Johnson 6hp: dumb questions

I'd do what Jtexas mentioned and try adjusting the mixture first. Barring that, yes you can get a manual. Look on ebay or outboardmanuals.com. It's a pretty simple operation to rebuild an outboard carb as long as you have a manual.