This is my first post to a well browsed forum. I would like to thank the many posters and the moderators for a well kept site.<br /><br />I recently purchased a small fishing boat with a 1977 Evinrude 35. It was quite evident that this boat had been well maitained.<br /><br />Problem:<br /><br />I used the boat 3 times without incident, the 4th was more troublesome. My son and I motored for about 15 minutes and stopped for a bit. Started again and the boat started to hesitate, soon the choke was necessary to keep running, then..... row, row, row your boat slowly down the stream. Luckily half way back a few lads were kind enough to offer a tow.<br /><br />Solution:<br /><br />Before dumping a large amount of money into it I researched the forum and ended up with a carburetor kit and a manual.<br /><br /><br />Findings:<br /><br />The carburetor was extremely clean when I took it off, and I thought, just my luck, the problem may lie elsewhere. I stuck with it and rebuilt the carb. The boat now runs flawlessly. The only things that stood out in the rebuild is that the float was not adjusted correctly and the float needle may have been sticking. The rebuild kit had a spring clip for the needle to ensure that it drops as the float does.<br /><br />I thought that I would share this, in case others may get some benefit from it.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.<br /><br />Dave<br /><br />p.s.: The next project is a lower unit seal kit and water pump rebuild.
<br /><br />Most of the carbs I take apart have visible problems like varnishing. But a lot look perfectly clean and I never see what's causing the problem. Something got in there and formed a blockage. Giving them a good cleaning and blowing out the passages frequently fixes the problem without ever knowing exactly what it was.<br /><br />The hook on the float valve is a smart upgrade. I have no idea why they didn't do it in the first place. Sometimes the valve gets stuck just enough so that fuel pressure won't open it. But put a hook on the needle and gravity becomes a very valuable friend when the weight of the float pulls it open anyhow.