61 Johnson 5.5 Help

[61_Johnson]

Morning guys!

Having a problem keeping my motor running, thought somebody can give me a tip on whats going on. Keep in mind, I am no ace mechanic!

When I crank the motor, it starts off running fine but the throttle is sluggish, you may gap it wide open and it revs up one time, the next time it may not rev up but half way. It will run for about a minute and then just die like it is running out of gas. I pulled the plugs and they are soaked with gas. I clean them off, start over and it does the same thing. I just rebuilt the carb, all new fuel lines, inspected the fuel pump and all that jazz. Also, it is running kind of rough and at WOT it is smoking a good bit. I am using 24:1 oil/gas mix.

Any suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Pull the flywheel and check the ignition system. You probably have bad coils. Or at least dirty/worn breaker points.

You should have done this in the first place instead of messing with the carburetor.

 

[61_Johnson]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Would bad coils make it die as in running out of gas? What about the gas on the spark plugs?

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Certainly it would make it die and lack power. Gas on the spark plugs could be because the carburetor needles are set too rich. If it were fireing like it should, you would be able to adjust the carburetor properly. As it is you are trying to correct an ill (inadequate ignition)by using the wrong methods (give 'er more gas).

 

[61_Johnson]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Ok, now, how can I tell if the coils are bad. Seems like I have read on here about them being a certain color when they are bad/good?

 

[56 rude]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Pop the flywheel and take a look at the coils,they most likely will look chalky and cracked,their toast.No crack no matter how small will cause you grief.While you have the flywheel off do yourself a favor and get the whole tune up kit ,points ,coils and condencers and then your done for a long time and wont have to worry about that end of the motor.

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Johnson 5.5 Help

Ain't no doubt about these coils. Unfortunatly, this is common.