Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

[Rocket9k]

I bought a non-running 1963 johnson 5 1/2. I have rebuilt the carb, checked over the ignition (it's got good spark) and put new plugs in. This thing just refuses to run and it's depressing me. I have never come across anything like this. I can turn the tiller handle between start and fast and it will sputter a few times and then start and run for about 5 seconds and then die out and not start again. The carb is completely clean I made absolute sure of this. I am tired of pulling the pull start handle just to have it laugh at me and not run. I even checked the reed valves and they seem good as well. Please help, I am at my wits end with this thing.

 

[lbentz]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

It sounds like your carb could be out of adjustment. The top needle jet should be turned out 1 1/2 turns, from the seated position and the bottom needle should be 3/4 turn from the seated position. These are good starting points, for the two and it will allow you to fine tune them, once the motor starts. You may also want to check that the fuel pump is working correctly too. After it stalls, check the primer ball and see if it is hard and fully charged, or if it's soft. If it's soft, and you have to recharge it to make it run, then your fuel pump may not be working properly. Check your fuel line connectors too and make sure that the o-rings inside are not chewed up. Bad O-rings are a common issue with these quick-disconnect fuel lines.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

I bought a non-running 1963 johnson 5 1/2. I have rebuilt the carb, checked over the ignition (it's got good spark) and put new plugs in. This thing just refuses to run and it's depressing me. I have never come across anything like this. I can turn the tiller handle between start and fast and it will sputter a few times and then start and run for about 5 seconds and then die out and not start again. The carb is completely clean I made absolute sure of this. I am tired of pulling the pull start handle just to have it laugh at me and not run. I even checked the reed valves and they seem good as well. Please help, I am at my wits end with this thing.

That motor is no different than any other. It needs 4 things to run:
Compression
Fuel (in the right amount)
Spark at the right time. (needs to jump a 1/4" gap in free air)
Crankcase compression. (probably not the problem here)

You are missing one of those things. My guess is spark or compression. It's up to you to check it out.

 

[Rocket9k]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

I checked on the spark, it's good and at the right time, and the carb settings are the same as what you just told me. I disconnected the fuel line coming from the fuel pump and it doesn't seem to be pumping any fuel (well not very much anyway). I can squeeze the primer ball and it fill the fuel bowl up but it still doesn't wanna start unless i put the handle towards fast. Is there any place to get rings for this engine and parts to rebuild the fuel pump? I don't have a compression tester but it feels pretty nice, even better than my friends 6 horse johnson. I figured that it starting at all on it's own even for a short time would rule out compression loss. maybe I am wrong?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

when you rebuilt the carb did you get the gasket on the main jet where it goes to the bowl on right. That can cause it not to suck fuel. You really should check the compression but I think you have a fuel problem if your spark is as good as you say.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

Actually, a leaking main (boss) gasket will bypass the High speed jet and allow fuel to be drawn directly into the carb throat from the carb bowl, basically flooding the motor. You'll have a really hard time getting it to idle (if at all), if it leaks.

 

[Rocket9k]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

It has a brand new main jet gasket and it fits tightly. I went ahead and tore into further today, checked the impeller and all that and made sure the exhaust wasn't plugged. It all looks good. This engine is low hour just by the shape everything is in. I did get it to run for about 10 seconds before it died. Again, I had to turn the handle to fast to get it to start. It will NOT start on "start". I am going to rebuild the fuel pump, does anyone sell parts to rebuild them? I am thinking it's weak because i disconnected the fuel line and pulled the cord and barely anything is coming out. I am also going to install a new head gasket because I pulled it to check the cylinders. Can I still get piston/rings for these? It will probably be a nice reliable engine if I can just get it going.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

You don't want to change the rings and such until you do a compression test. Get your new gasket on there, rebuild your fuel pump if you need to. You can still buy the pump cover for about 2 bucks if it's cracked and leaking.

Buy or borrow a compression tester. get your new head gasket on and check it. Then, if it's below say 65 lbs. or so, then you might think about something else. Myself, I'd get a good used powerhead before I'd spend the money on new rings and pistons. They're available but really high. Not worth it to me. Taking the fuel line off and pulling the starter to see if the fuel pump is working was a good idea, but if it's the fuel pump that's bad it should still keep running if you pump the primer bulb. I hope you realize that those are just starting points on the carb adjustment. Once you get it running you have to fine tune the slow and high speed. The high speed can pretty much only be set on the water running it fast.
Have you looked at Joe Reeves' carb. adjustment instructions yet?

You might also get it running and spray some sea foam or wd-40 around the intake manifold gaskets to see if you have a leak.
I doubt your compression is bad because those 5.5's hardly ever go bad unless they're overheated.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

Again, I had to turn the handle to fast to get it to start. It will NOT start on "start".

Most of them will not start on start. Usually that is way off anyway. My starting procedure is to pump the bulb firm. Pull the choke. Turn the throttle as far as I can go with it and pull. Usually starts right up and you can throttle it down then. It should run for more than 10 seconds if the float bowl is full. You don't need a fuel pump to fill the float bowl. The primer bulb will so that. Make sure you get the primer bulb firm so the float bowl is full then see how it run. You will also be priming the fuel pump as well when you do this. It might be fine, but get it running first.

 

[Rocket9k]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

Okay, I got the damn thing to run a little longer and better today. A new head gasket and ANOTHER set of new plugs. I had to start it on fast, and once it fired up it was coughing and sputtering like it was too rich so I then turned the high speet adjuster to about 1/2 turn out and it cleaned up and sang. It still did not want to idle. It would run on it's own for a little while however I had it out of water and didn't want it to run very long that way. I went to start it again and it just wanted to sputter and not start. I felt the primer bulb and gave it a few more squeezes and here fuel shot out of the main jet in the carb. The needle and seat is new, but is this normal? I do have a fuel leak on my fuel line coming from the tank. When i squeeze the primer ball, fuel will go right through the pump and into the filter bowl. as long as there is fuel in the pump, the pump will work, until it sucks the line dry again. Could my float height be wrong? I am getting closer everyday. Thank you all for your help so far it's been very helpful.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

never ever run them out of water. You now need to change the impeller as you more than likely fried it. If you have a fuel line leak it will suck air. If it will suck air the fuel pump won't work right and it won't idle. Change the impeller, get a new fuel line and run it in a barrel full of water.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

FreddyRay is right, of course. If fuel is shooting out the carb when you prime it then either your needle and seat has a tiny piece of grit keeping it from sealing all the way, or your float is bad or incorrectly adjusted. When you turn the carb upside down with the bowl off then the float should be level with the carb face. I like mine barely tilted up from perfectly level, but level is where it's supposed to be. When you prime it and the bowl fills, then the float should shut off the fuel so that none comes out. If you haven't changed your fuel lines from the carb to the pump and the pump to the connector, you should because they can deteriorate and put little pieces of trash in your needle and seat and play with your head. Like FreddyRay said, if it's sucking air.......... gotta fix that!
If you get it running and turning the slow speed needle has no effect once it's pumping fuel correctly and your float and needle is shutting off right, then you know your carb isn't clean in the slow speed circuit somewhere. Don't forget to not tighten the needle too hard or it'll ruin you needle valve. How'd the slow speed needle tip look when you took it out to clean it? A groove on the tip or a bent tip is bad.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[EN2]

Re: Johnson 5.5 1963 refusing to run

make sure your float drop is correct, about one inch or so. I just bought a 1959 model. Would not start,had good spark and was getting fuel to carb. Removed carb and dissasembeld, Someone put a new float in it ,and never adjusted.the drop. Little tang near float hinge. Made the adjustment and it started onthe third pull. Runs like a top.