1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

Mike Giglio

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
33
I am puzzled. I have a 1972 65hp johnson. I took it out and it started at the dock. Then ran it for about 5 miles and it took the gas well. After 5 mile run I had difficulty starting the motor. Then when it finally started tilting the motor, it bogged out in gear and woulodn't take any load. I played around with the low speed adjustments a bit out of fear and then it was still tough starting but took the load, slight hesitation. I am not sure if my floats are set correctly. With the carburetor upside down, the float end opposite the hinge pin is set so the tip is even and parallel to the casting. it is bent slightly down from the hinge pin. This is identical to how the carbs were set before I meddled with them. I tried that low speed adjusting and some of the top needle seats all the way in and the motor still runs. The bottom carb will the motor down when I turn it in but since the other two don't im having trouble setting the low speed adjustments. Do these have any bearing to the motor taking load. I can't find a place to adjust and set this up for me. Everyone says the notor is to old and won't work on it. I'm confused if my floats are set up wrong, my low speed is off and i just need fine tuning or perhaps I have a more involved problem. It is frustrating to have it run so well and then lame up. Any suggestions other than repowering I'd greatly appreciate. I put new l77jc4 plugs gapped a .030 in and fuel line and tank are new. I'm wondering if my problem may be coil related. <br />Mike Giglio To much fixing and no fishin
 

steamboatwilly

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
248
Re: 1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

Good evening Mike,,,,Just a wild guess,but the low speed jets might be stopped up.I would take them apart,really clean it.See if you can find trash in the jets.
 

Mike Giglio

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
33
Re: 1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

The carbs were super clean when I had em apart. Can I clean the low speed jets, remove them without taking the carbs off again. Is there a special tool needed? Does the jet have to be removed from the carb to assure theyr'e cleaned. I'm thinking maybe I have a bad coil or coils. The top cylinder coil looks pretty new, the others look a little funky.
 

Mike Giglio

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
33
Re: 1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

My carbs show just a low speed needle valve and delrin retainer in the book. Just take out the needle valves and reatiner and clean the opening? My book is not showing a low speed jet that can be removed. I'm a little confused?
 

Mike Giglio

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
33
Re: 1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

My carbs show just a low speed needle valve and delrin retainer in the book. Just take out the needle valves and reatiner and clean the opening? My book is not showing a low speed jet that can be removed. I'm a little confused?
 

steamboatwilly

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
248
Re: 1972ESL72s Johnson runs well then wont take load in gear and hard to start

Mike,,,Do what Joe Reeves says.
 
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