1972 25 hp johnson hard to start

[kpadaric]

Hello I have a 1972 25 hp johnson, that I bought in not running condition.
i cant beleive how light the motor is, will it really push out 25 hp?
Anyways, after spending time on the lower end, impeller, magneto, plugs wires and carb, the best I can get when I pull the cord is a few seconds of of really rough running. The adjustment needle on the carb has has been from one turn out to three turns out, no real difference it dies pretty quickly.
What I did notice the last time I worked on it, I can only pull the cord so many times, then I have to put it away, was that the choke was fluttering when the motor was running really rough.
The choke springs look fine and there doesnt appear to be a reason, for the choke to flutter.
I started the motor again, and used a screwdriver to keep the choke from fluttering.It was the first time the motor ran more than a few seconds, it ran long enough for the thermostat to kick in and have water come out of the pee hole which was nice to see.
the motor still ran rough, and when I opened the choke it still ran rough, but only for a few seconds.
I read another post and thought it might be the reed valves that are at fault.
I took the access cover off and the plate with the valves.
the reed valves look fine to me no discolouration, or grime and the fit is flush.
So the question is why wont the motor start or run properly?
Look forward to your response.

[R.Johnson]

Did you do a compression test ? What did it show?

[kpadaric]

hello
with the reed valve plate removed, and leaving in the spark plug on the cylinder not being tested, giving it 3-4 pulls on a rope start, it was 105 on both cylinders.

[tashasdaddy]

compression is fine. read the TOP SECRET FILE, to of this forum/

[kpadaric]

I have referenced the topsecret files while I was reconditioning the motor.
New plugs, wires, points, coil, checked spark, compession ok.cleaned carb, rebuilt fuel pump, changed fuel lines, etc.but it still wont run for more than a second or so, and will run a bit longer if I hold a screwdriver to keep the choke from fluttering.
The reed valves look fine when I look at them.
What am I missing?
thanks

[lindy46]

How did you "clean" the carb? Just run some carb cleaner through the throat or did you take it apart and soak it in cleaner and blow it out, and install a carb kit and new float?

[kpadaric]

hello
the carb was taken off othe motor dissassembled , cleaned and reinstalled.
the carb doesnt leak, nor does gas dribble out of the air intake.
why would the choke flutter?

[tashasdaddy]

you are missing a spring, or part of the choke linkage.

[kpadaric]

hello
there are 2 coil springs on a stem.
one coil spring end extends straight into a hole .
its this tension that keepd the choke closed.
the mechanism that opens and coses the choke is intact without any missing pc.
just for reference and comparison, i looked at a 9 1/2 johnson choke spring mechanism.
the tension on the 9 1/2 seems to be a little higher on choke but not by much.
on the25 hp motor ,when the choke is on , the only thing that keeping the choke closed is the tension from the spring mentioned above.
nothing is missin gor broken.
look forward to your thoughts , thanks

[kpadaric]

i am still having touble with the motor 25 hp 1972 johnson
I took off the carb and cleaned it again.
When I reinstalled it , the motor still wouldnt start.
what happens now is that with the choke on , gas dribbles out the front of the carb, when I pull the starter cord
, this doesnt happen when the choke plate is opened, is gas doesnt dribble out
the plugs are getting wet, but the motor still wont turn over.
please advise.
thanks