Carb problem 71 Johnson 50 ???

[Jconnell43]

Haven't run this engine successfully for 3 years.
Can't get it started in my tub of water.
3 different sets of new correct plugs.
Both carbs rebuilt with kits 2 years ago.
Top plug after 2 minutes of cranking will be black and dry.
Bottom plug will be clean but wet.
Motor will snort and cough occasionally like it is almost starting.
Turned off lights in garage , pulled plugs out but left them connected, both firing with same blue spark.

Anybody have an idea of what's going on?
I will remember them in my will.

Thanks,
Jim
Colorado

 

[ldurmon]

Check that the floats are not stuck in the carbs and the bowls are cleaned out. The gaskets can creep in on the floats and hang them up over time.

 

[Jconnell43]

Good point, I guess I will have to take them off and take a look.I'm getting good at that by now.

 

[sutor623]

Have you messed with your idle screw adjustments?

Do you know what the compression is on the motor?

Have you tried squirting a little fuel mixture into each carb to see if it wants to start?

Did you pull the carb bowl drain screws to see if fuel is actually making its way up to the carbs?

Did you throw a timing light on the engine to see what the idle timing is set at?

 

[Jconnell43]

Idle screws are where they were last time it was running fine about 1 1/2 turns out.
I might have to borrow a compression tester.
Have sprayed carbs and combustion chamber, no start.
Today's mission is to take carbs apart and check needle valves etc.
Need to research proper timing.
Thanks for tips, I'll look at all of them

 

[sutor623]

So this motor stopped running after it sat for a while? No big trigger?

 

[Jconnell43]

Update, took carbs apart, both showed proper bowl height and new needles,blew out, cleaned out all orifices, all looked good.
Fresh gas and plugs.
Have done lync n,sync but I think I have a timing problem from too much messing around with length of timing lever.
Is there any way to statically time this engine since i can't get it started?

 

[sutor623]

Yea man put a timing gun on the #1 plug and point the gun at the flywheel while spinning the starter. That's your idle timing.

 

[Jconnell43]

Fixed, throttle linkages, were not opening at idle speed, my mistake.
A little adjustment that I should have double checked.
5 minutes running in the tub and it overheated but that's another story.