Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

[lindy46]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

That hollow piece (barrel) will come out - normal. The needle threads into the barrel. Put the barrel back in the opening. Then put 2 or 3 packing washers in the opening. Put the needle back in but don't try to turn it. Add the packing nut and snug it down. That should prevent the barrel from spinning in the hole. Now tighten the needle. If the packing nut is tight enough, the needle should turn with considerable resistance, and it should thread down into the barrel.

 

[zshuff]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

Ok thanks for the help. I've threaded the needles back into the carb and have them set at a full turn out on the low speed and a turn and a half on the high speed. I know the carb is clean however the motor still won't crank. I don't think I'm getting any gas to the cylinder. I replaced my spark plugs and I'm getting a very nice hot spark on both plugs but the plugs don't even look like they have gas on them. Is there something that could be preventing the gas from getting from the carb to the cylinder?

 

[Big Jay]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

When you installed the carb kit, did you replace the float and small needle inside the carb-bowl? Holding the carb upside down, the float should sit level with the carb body.

When you prime the bulb on the fuel line does it get hard?

The slow speed needle should be out 1.5 turns from lightly seated as a starting point.
The high speed needle should be out 1 turn from lightly seated as a starting point.

Both needles should be snug enough with the brass packing nut to resist turning, but still able to turn with moderate finger pressure. This allows for adjustment but keeps the jets air tight preventing a lean sneeze.

Another thing mine does that I didn't know until running it for a while, is when starting and with the engine in neutral, I needed to give it a lot of throttle. Say a good half-way to wide open (in neutral) in order to start easily. Any less throttle and it was a hard starter (lots of pulls), but with enough throttle it fires up 1st or 2nd pull every time, with full choke from cold. Once it kicks, ease the throttle back and work the choke until it smooths.

I love my 18, simply the most reliable engine I've ever owned.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

Pay special attention to this link for a step by step instructions on how to install the needles and packings. I also have an 18/20hp and it's a great motor.

5.5 HP Evinrude Johnson 1954-1954 Carburetor Tune-Up Procedure

 

[zshuff]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

Yes I replaced the float and needle with the small pin that holds the needle to the float. I'm trying to remember but I don't think the float was sitting level when I turned it upside down. When I installed the float is the carb already technically upside down at that point? If so, then it was level but if I was supposed to turn it upside down then no I think it would drop down somewhat. How would I make it level while it was upside down? Yes the primer bulb gets hard and yes I have set the needles to there correct position and I got the brass tubes in place so the needles would not move.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Stumped with 18hp Evinrude

With the carb right-side up, and the float bowl off, the float will just drop down and the needle will be open. With the carb upside down, the float will be in the "needle closed" position. That is where you adjust it. I usually tweak the float arm so it is just slightly bent up from parallel with the carb body (in the upside down position.) That insures that the float closes the needle slightly before the bowl is completely full, and it doesn't overflow.