Re: 56 15hp Johnson electric start?
OK, you found me. But I can't say that I have the answer for you. As you said, it is an "odd" problem, and I haven't actually heard it happen.
You wrote quote: "Trying to sort and odd backfire/misfire it has at idle speed..
Low speed needle issue I think.......This is not typical 2 stroke sneeze..I throttle back to slow and it bangs/pops somethin fierce! Mid-to-WOT and it takes off like a champ..tons of power smooth as silk. If I start 'er up and head to high speed no issue..Can't sit at no-wake speed or it does it. Doesn't always do it either..seems sometimes it does other times it runs fine". end quote.
So, by that I take it that you know what a lean sneeze is and would recognize it. Is that a good assumption? Because, I would immediatly suspect a lean sneeze, given your description. If it is something other than that, I am shooting in the dark here.
I assume you know what causes lean sneezing. Either too little fuel or too much air. "Too much air" can come from a leak somewhere in the crankcase or intake manifold. Or a carburetor throttle shaft that is not synchronized with the spark advance.
OK, on the subject of the lower seal. It is true that they had a lot of trouble in that area, and it is true that it can cause catastrophic damage. However, unless the damage has already occured, you probably wouldn't even know you had a problem. That is what makes it so sneaky. Grab hold of the flywheel and see if you can move it fore and aft any. Anything more than microscoptic movement suggests a problem.
What have you done with the motor so far? Does it start easy? You indicate you have torn the carburetor apart. Have you checked the ignition? Are the coils good, or are they cracked? My favorite saying is that most carburetor problems---aren't. Many a cracked coil has been mis-diagnosed as a carburetor or fuel problem.
Long winded---but no answer, I know.
BTW, I have a starter bracket but no starter.
