1970 Clinton 7hp

[nomeking]

I have a Clinton J700 1106C 7hp motor that I bought to use on Arizona high mountain lakes with horsepower restrictions. The motor moves my 12ft Lund fine but is extremely difficult to start even after a carb rebuild. Even more so after it has been run for a while. My dad can't get it started at all. It has a choke that you use your thumb to restrict the air flow and I have a lot of trouble with that as well. Is there something you would suggest to alleviate this problem or is just the way the motor functions. Thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1970 Clinton 7hp

My service manual shows a choke plate with an L shaped choke shaft.
I don't have the details of the assembly.
While I feel the Clinton is a little better than the Eska;both tend to be finicky.Start today but not tomorrow,starts good but won't start for the return trip.You might check that points are at .020,plugs at .025.Good spark with an audible snap.(both hot and cold.Shut off or disconnect gas while fishing etc.If it was mine I would sell it and put the money toward a Evinrude/Johnson 3,4,5,5.5,6 from 52-the 70s. much smoother,quieter,faster,more reliable and easy to work on.Routine parts availavble at dozens of venders,well established BRP dealers,iboats and NAPA auto parts.There is a vast supply of used parts.

 

[sunkentreasure]

Re: 1970 Clinton 7hp

Just a thought......you say you want to use this motor on the high Arizona lakes. How high? I'm at about 4000' here and my outboards (or any engine for that matter) require very little choke if any. If mixtures aren't leaned out a bit for the altitude, flooding is a certainty making for some very hard starts.

If that doesn't help, the previous suggestion is good...get a "big name" motor.