1973 johnson loses power

[Sidserv]

I have a 73 johnson 65 that will run fine for miles and then the power dies. Occasionally it will kick back in and go. I have had the carbs apart and cleaned them/installed new kits. I am currently waiting on a new rectifier due to the old one having a bad wire casing. The motor starts and runs perfect all the time. It just decides to cut out occasionally and it won't obtain WOT. It doesn't sound like I am losing a cylinder. Am I looking at possible fuel problems. I am at a loss. The stator checked good. The coils have good bright blue spark(checked by plugs on case and slipping and shocking myself). The rectifier that I am replacing still ohm'd good but the wires concerned me so I replaced it. I am running 50:1 fuel mix off portable fuel can with fresh non eth gas. Any ideas would be awesome.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1973 johnson loses power

It could be that the power pack is heating up and failing. The only way I know to check this is to bring along an inductive timing light and check at the plug wires when it has cut out on the water. Know what the light looks like when it's running well, and compare the light pulse when it has died. It does not really sound like a fuel problem, since that does not normally correct itself. Check ALL of the electrical connections and wiring , including the ignition switch.
These problems are a bear to find sometimes, but it would help to narrow it down to a low/weak spark condition using the timing light.