Choke solenoid

[65 westbend 50 hp]

Hey gang, When i replaced my old card last year I forgot to unhook the power to the choke solenoid. Now it doesn't work. Could I have demagnetized it? Or shorted it? Do I need a new solenoid or can that one be repaired? Also I noticed when at 3/4 throttle the boat runs great but as soon as I go full throttle the motor boggs right down. Could this be a simple carb adjustment?

 

[wickware]

Have you run 12V to the choke from the Batt direct to see if that activates the choke’s solenoid?

Have you pulled the flywheel and inspected your points lately?

 

[byacey]

Check the choke solenoid by testing as above, just use a short jumper wire between the large battery terminal on the starter solenoid and the choke solenoid terminal.

If it runs good up to 3/4 throttle but bogs down wide open, it sounds like the main jet on the carb is plugged up. Take the bowl off the carb and clean all the crud out, blow out the jets and passages with compressed air. Make sure your fuel filters are clean; perhaps rinse out the tank to get rid of any dirt, rust or sediment. Follow up by running some Sea Foam with your fuel for a tank or two.

 

[wickware]

My similar problem was always contaminated points from adding too much oil to the rubbing blocks wicks. Initially I thought I was getting crankcase blow-by on my 1970 35hp Chrysler. Until I dressed/cleaned the points and cleaned the Mag’s system good w/o adding any oil to the wicks. Ran it hard WOT 5-10 miles Unusual but good for the engine IMO. Then pulled the flywheel and had no signs of blow-by or contaminated points. If I have added one drop of oil vs some that has been it, plus squeezing the wicks looking for excess oil.

I also realized my trot-lining and close fishing was not allowing the engine to get good and hot to blow carbon/etc out. The longer runs made it run better.

 

[byacey]

GM used to make a thick grease for distributor cams. Just a very microscopic thin smear of it on the cam lasts for a long time, and it doesn't fly off and contaminate the points like oil does. I removed the wicks altogether.