1977 115hp Johnson, Stalls When Put In Gear

[YODAWG85]

I have a 1977 starcraft with johnson 115hp outboard motor. I know how to work on cars but kinda new with boats. This is my first boat I got last year. The boat did sit for a couple years before I got it. I emptied and cleaned the tank and replaced all the gas lines and im getting good gas pressure. I was going to replace the plugs but when I pulled them out they looked new so I left them in.
Anyway, my problem is it will run at idle but when I try to put it in gear it will stall out? I start it with starting fluid and had it running at idle for 20 minutes or so. Then when I try to put it in gear it just stalls out. If anybody has any idea please let me know. thanks.

[HighTrim]

First of all, you should never use starting fluid, use premix in a spray bottle. When were the carbs last rebuilt, they may need a bath and rebuild.

[HighTrim]

Also this was reccomended by JTexas for a similar problem, worth a look:

Check to see if the timer base (starboard side, under the edge of the flywheel, linked to the throttle lever) moves smoothly without sticking when you advance the throttle.

Take the airbox cover off & observe whether the throttle plates are parallel.

Also, the timer base should start it's travel *before* the throttle plates start to open, else she'll fall flat when you try to accelerate.

[tschamp20]

you should make sure the lower unit isnt stuck.take out the plugs so there isnt any compression holding you up.put it in gear and turn the flywheel by hand should spin prop,then put into reverse,should turn prop the other way.and check in neutral,the prop should spin easily by hand in either direction.good luck!

[YODAWG85]

First of all, you should never use starting fluid, use premix in a spray bottle. When were the carbs last rebuilt, they may need a bath and rebuild.

I didn't know that its not good to use starting fluid. I will use premix in a spray bottle next time. The carbs have not been rebuilt in several years. I was kind of thinking they may need rebuilt but I wasn't sure. I just got a evinrude/johnson clymer shop manual book today in the mail. Im going to do some reading. Thanks for your advise.

[YODAWG85]

Also this was reccomended by JTexas for a similar problem, worth a look:

Check to see if the timer base (starboard side, under the edge of the flywheel, linked to the throttle lever) moves smoothly without sticking when you advance the throttle.

Take the airbox cover off & observe whether the throttle plates are parallel.

Also, the timer base should start it's travel *before* the throttle plates start to open, else she'll fall flat when you try to accelerate.

I will check that out. Thanks for your help HighTrim.

[YODAWG85]

you should make sure the lower unit isnt stuck.take out the plugs so there isnt any compression holding you up.put it in gear and turn the flywheel by hand should spin prop,then put into reverse,should turn prop the other way.and check in neutral,the prop should spin easily by hand in either direction.good luck!

Thanks for your advise I will check that out. I know the guy I got the boat from said that he had the lower unit replaced recently.