'56 Elgin 5.5 HP (lean rich settings for top and bottom nob

jasonfinley

Recruit
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
1
I have a '56 Elgin 5.5 outboard. Does anyone know what to set the (lean and rich) knobs. It has 2 , 1 on top the other below it
Whats the difference between the knobs? thanks
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: '56 Elgin 5.5 HP (lean rich settings for top and bottom nob

Top knob is slow-speed adjustment, bottom is high speed...both adjust the gas mixture in the carb. Turn both clockwise until they seat/stop, but don't crank them down hard. Then back the bottom one out, counterclockwise, 3/4 to 1 full turn. Back the top one out about 1 to 1 and 1/4 turns. After you get it running, let it warm up and then run the throttle up to Fast, turn the bottom needle either way until the engine responds and runs best...then richen (counterclockwise) it a little. Then idle it down and adjust the top needle the same way. You'll have to tweak them a little out on the water/boat, unless you do the initial adjustments on the boat, too. Remember the settings for both.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: '56 Elgin 5.5 HP (lean rich settings for top and bottom nob

Most, but not all, of those Tillotson MD carbs have a "backwards" low speed needle, that turns clockwise for rich and counter-clockwise for lean. That kind normally runs about 3/4 turn from closed. I don't know which kind yours has. You can tell by removing the low speed needle and checking the length. The backwards one is only around an inch long and has a blunt end.
 
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