1960 Johnson 40 hp Too much fuel or not enough

[73hustler]

Finilly got it to start again. The problem I am having now. It will start for a sec or two, cough and die. Will not start with choke on. Basiclly it dies. I full choke it. It backfires. I unchoke it. Fuel comes out carb. With choke full open it runs coughs and dies.
With the fuel comming out carb like it does I would think too much fuel. When i turn in Low needle it will not start ( maybe a little rumble but that is it) I shoot some starting fluid in and it trys to start. ( So not enogh fuel) I am beginning to loose my mind.

All ports are clean and free flowing on carb.

Thanks for any help!

[kbait]

Check compression and spark first. Worry about fuel issues after you've confirmed them.

[73hustler]

Comp is good at 110 to 115 and spark is good as well.

[F_R]

Comp is good at 110 to 115 and spark is good as well.

Famous last words: "Spark is good". Have you LOOKED at the ignition system? Have the coils been replaced yet? If they haven't been, they need to be. They will cause all the grief you have been experiencing.

[kbait]

FR is right. Cracked coils/pitted points can give you weak spark (holding the plug to ground), but won't fire consistently, if at all when the spark is exposed to the engine compression. I've made that mistake before.. before I made a spark tester. Now, if it won't jump 5/16", I give it my undivided attention before moving further (carb..).

[73hustler]

One of the coils is defenitly newer. As far as spark goes it does jump to the block ( how far ??) I have a spark tester but no second person to turn the key right now. I'll try that later. I guess i will have to get a new coil for the other side and see if it helps. the points are good and not pitted at all. Not sure of the condencers but probably just get some new ones to be sure.

Never thought of the spark under pressure in the cylinder. Would make sence though. It fires and runs for that 2 sec's, probably till pressure builds as rpm's raise.

Guess no boating this year. Already spent too much $$.
Thanks for the help!

[joebob14]

I could be wrong here but I have never heard of spark having anything to do with fuel porring out of the carb. If it does I would sure like a lesson on how that works. Sounds to me like the float in the carb is out of adjusment. To check this I just take the bowl off the carb and hold the float up with my finer while pumping the primer, if fuel comes out the bottom of the carb then thats your problem. I have the same motor and when I got it I cleaned the carb and the pin that holds the float in place fell right out causing the fuel to pour out the carb right after it flooded the engine.

[73hustler]

joebob14- Thanks I will definitly try that trick. I have changed the Coils-condencers-points-wires-etc. Still the same prob happens. I know i haven't changed with bran new parts but what are the odds. The changed parts were all replacments at some point and look newer. And It does want to go. (till it coughs couple times and dies) I just am so close!!! But then again what do i know. thanks again.

[73hustler]

oh ya and as far as the pin. mine is the same way very loose

[73hustler]

Hey joebob14- how is starting with your auto choke. Do you start on auto or closed/ full open?

[joebob14]

I have had no problems with the auto choke for starting but once the engine is running I have to flip it to wide open or it wont wind out all the way. Good luck getting that thing going I hope that helps. Also if the pin is in and fuel still pours out while holding the float up just gently bend the tab that goes to the valve to make it close the valve when the float comes up. It has worked for me in the past. It might not be the "correct" way to do it but I to am on a budget.

[73hustler]

joebob14- Tested the float needle like you said and it works fine. but i did notice the the float was bent up too high so I ajusted it to sit level with carb upside down. It seems to be starting better (even on auto choke) Of course it is close to 1 am and my garage floor is soaked from it back firing. The weird thing is though it won't start unless it is given atleast if not a bit more then the 1 and a half turns out, but if backfiring doen't it mean that it is getting too much fuel? Guess i'll try again in the morning. Thanks again for the trick.
It wants to run I can feel it!!!

[lindy46]

Is it backfiring or just sneezing? If backfiring, could be a sheared flywheel key or plug wires reversed. If lean sneezing, open up (turn counterclockwise) the low speed needle 1/8 turn at a time until it stops.