Can't get outboard to WOT.

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

You don't need a new spring. I have found ones that seemed weak and all that needs to be done is to unwind them a bit. 5 minutes with a pair of pliers and a vice will do nice. <br />Varsol will clean the taper just fine. Your work is way above par. I doubt you'll have any problems at all.
 

rod087

Cadet
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Messages
21
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Hi there Saskatoon2005 im working on the same engine as you a 40 hp johnson and had to change a coil also because i had no spark on th top cylinder but now i need to know how to set the timing because the pionts affect the timing on a two stroke.Do you have the specs on how to set the timing and at how much advanced, i have been told that you can us a dial indicater and set the timing so many thousands btdc but i dont know how much fro this engine do you have a manual.<br />Thank<br />Rod
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Hello rod087,<br /><br /> As engine rpm increases, the ignition system must fire the spark plugs more rapidly. Proper ignition timing synchronizes spark plug firing with engine speed.<br /> Timing is not adjustable on engines with a breaker point ignition. Ignition timing with this system depends upon correct initial setting of the breaker point gap. All engines equipped with a breaker point ignition use a point setting of 0.022 in. (new) or 0.020 in. (used).<br /> Timing can be checked with a timing light on engines equipped with timing marks. If the timing marks on the flywheel and armature plate or timing pointer do not align properly, the breaker point gap must be reset.<br /> If the procedure for your engine specifies that the engine be running while setting the timing, the engine must be run at full throttle in forward gear unless otherwise stated. This requires the use of a test tank and test wheel, as timing an engine while speeding across open water is neither easy nor safe.
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Hello All,<br /><br /> So I waited and waited for the rain to quit and guess what...it did just that. It quit. I had company over so I again had to wait and wait....but guess what...they too left...Yeah! Lol. <br /><br /> I took the flywheel into the house and gently cleaned the inner taper with a cloth soaked in varsol. Went outside and clean the taper on the power head and pulled off the throttle linkage spring and manhandled it so it had more "spring" in it. Put it back on and then gently put the flywheel on, checked and checked again the wire routing of all low voltage lines and spark plug lines to make sure there was no contact involved with the flywheel.<br /><br /> That was all good and then I moved the throttle into start position and moved the manual choke to the on position. I then turned the key and the flywheel spun and the outboard sputtered and the starter disengaged and then quit. Now this si something I have always had to do with this outboard ever since I rebuilt the carb. I had to move the manual choke into the off position and moved the throttle back into the start position and then turned the key...<br /><br /> the flywheel spun and the outboard took off nicely and ran beautifully. It sounded stronger and I could tell right away the difference just rebuilding the megneto plate made. <br /><br /> I moved the throttle down to the slow position and the outboard idled a little rough and eventually quit. Now I can see that I am going to have to adjust the carburetor. I have a brand new float and am going to rebuild the carb once again and then check to see that everything is perfect. I can tell that the megneto plate is perfect and am very excited as to how it was running so far.<br /><br /> I still have to do the carb work and then I will take it out on the water and give it a test run. looking forward to running wild on the water this year, with a full forty horse power....LOL!
 

byacey

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 20, 2005
Messages
443
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

For future reference, Scotchbrite pads (Plastic) are excellent for cleaning the taper on the flywheel and crankshaft.
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Big big problem, I can't get wot still, after all this work and still the same.....no Wot. Boat still runs at half speed or less. I am going to start a new topic called "rebuild did not work..." Hopefullt Paul can help me a.s.a.p....<br /><br />Sorry after some keen advise I have moved back to this thread....stay tuned....LOL
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Back to this thread.....<br /><br /> So I finished the magneto rebuild and had a very nice opportunity to take the boat out, as I was eager to get this rebuilt machine onto the water. I got the boat into the water, I moved the choke manually into "on". And started the boat. It coughed, and sputtered and died. I then manually moved the choke into the "off" position and the outboard came to life. I pulled slowly away from shore and when I was just far enough out, I punched it....and....nothing better than before.....<br /><br />I have noticed a couple of things and am curious if this could be the cause.<br /><br />1) My carburetor bowl is leaking at the gasket, but the outboard idles so, so well. Will this have a negative response to opening up the throttle?<br /><br />2) Do I need to do another carb rebuild? Once it is running, I can troll and there is no fuel starvation. The outboard runs very smooth (thanks to the magneto rebuild.)<br /><br />3) What is the next thing to look at in fixing this outboard and getting top end. I punch the throttle and find that it is lacking speed and power. I mean when I first ran it I could easily get up onto plane, and now I drive with my *** end in the water.<br /><br />Please help, you guys have been so good so far and now I just need to get this thing to run as it was meant to be.<br /><br />I have a model RDS-23. A 1961 Johnson Outboard. 40 H.P.
 

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Did you do a sync and link?<br />On setting the points, did you set them to .020 with the rub block (bit that contacts the cam) pointing at the crankshaft flywheel key?<br />Is the carb butterfly fully open at WOT? <br />Have you adjusted the carb High Speed needle while on the water?
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Double check spark on both cylinders and make sure it's jumping 3/8". If that passes, try running the outboard with one wire disconnected, each at a time. If the trouble is limited to one cylinder, we can rule out carburation problems. <br />Pumping the primer bulb while running affect anything?
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Compression on each cylinder? Any evidence of water on the plugs? It is not uncommon for these old Big Twins to blow out a head gasket on occasion.<br /><br />- Scott
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

On setting the points I lined up the end of the point (the part that touches the cam) to the part of the cam that has TOP embossed in it. this forced open the points to maximum. I then loosened the setting screw and took my feeler gauge and set it to .020 and then tightened the point. Then I moved to the next point and set it the same way...moving it to the highpoint of the cam labeled TOP . I then moved it back to the first point I set and checked it followed by checking the second point. Both were right.<br /><br /> I haven't check the carb butterfly to see if it is wide open....do you mean the flap at the front or the one at the back of the carburetor, closest to the power head?<br /><br /> I have a fixed high speed needle, only the low one can be set, and I set that beautifully, so that I can troll and it purs like a kitten.<br /><br /> I will check spark on both cylinders! Then pull a wire and check to see which is not firing, if any.<br /><br /> I have pumped the primer bulb and nothing changes. I always seem to try that first of all things when I am on the water and it makes no difference, even at high speed (or half speed for me..LOL)<br /><br /> No evidence of water on the plugs, both are a little wet and black, they look very much even. Will check again to make sure though. <br /><br />Thanks for your help and I will check allthe thing's I am unsure of. While on the water yesterday it hiccuped once during the ride home and sounded like it wanted to go faster....but that was it all night.
 

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

" I haven't check the carb butterfly to see if it is wide open....do you mean the flap at the front or the one at the back of the carburetor, closest to the power head?"<br /><br />The outer 'flap' is the choke-should be horizontal when motor is warmed and running.<br />The inner is the one that controls the air/fuel mixture. This must be horizontal at WOT. This butterfly is controlled by the throttle linkage.<br /><br />You didn't mention if you did a sync and link....it's critical for timing advance.
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

OKay I checked on the WOT butterfly and it is horizonal when I push the throttle to WOT. Yeah I did do a link and synch and still nothing....nothing at all...
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Messages
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Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

I also have what looks to be a greenish goo that has run out of my exhaust hole. Any guess as to what that is?
 

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Probably just unburned fuel and water...it can build up inside the exhaust tube when you do a lot of slow trolling.<br /><br />Do as Paul suggests, run motor with one plug wire disconnected, do the other wire too, to confirm that both cylinders are hitting.<br />Also, Chinewalker suggests checking compression on both cylinders...<br /><br />I did want to ask, do you have the manual for this motor??
 

Saskatoon2005

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Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

I do have a manual, but just a crappy clymer manual, very disappointed in it.
 

Saskatoon2005

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
810
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Okay, here it is....<br /><br /> Top cylinder is 110 psi and has a black oily wet insulator when I pulled it out. Also there was like quite a bit of unburned fuel dribbled out of it...like the green mixed fuel, unburnt came out of the cylinder on the metal washerlike gasket of the spark plug.<br /><br /> Bottom cylinder is 120 psi and has a tan burned insulator and is dry. There was no unburned fuel but some black oily stuff was on the metal washerlike gasket of the spark plug.<br /><br />[edit] I would have taken a picture but my digital camera batteries are dead. I will try and get pics to you when I have charge in the rechargeables.
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Not having gone over all the posts, have you checked for strong spark on the top cylinder?
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Can't get outboard to WOT.

Oh, well that tells us a lot. Forget about chasing the carburetor, the problem is with one cylinder. Run that spark test. Have you changed plugs since the ignition rebuild? Perhaps the top one is fouled?<br /><br />I think on your outboard the fuel pump is connected to the bottom intake bypass cover, is that right?<br /><br />(Funny about the fixed high speed jet, I didn't think they put those on 40hp engines until the mid 60s. Could certainly be wrong though!)
 
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