Carbs for my '83 Johnson 70hp

Hello everyone, I've had an issue with my '83 70hp Johnson where it wants to stall at takeoff unless I back off go slow on the throttle. Once I get to about 1/3 throttle I can go ahead and go WOT. Runs like a champ after I get past the stalling point.

A guy here local who works on boats has told me that I need to replace the carbs because where the butterfly or throttle plate shafts stick through the side of the carb housing there's too much play. I know 2-stroke motorcycle carbs-Not outbooard motor carbs. But, the guy tells me he wouldn't even bother putting rebuild kits in them and that I should find another set of carbs. He did take them apart and cleaned them. To pass on his exact words-"Alot of gas has been through these carbs".

I will say I can grab the shafts and wiggle each one of them a little bit. But, how much is too much. I know there's got to be varying opinions.

Anyone have any thoughts or know where a guy could find a set that would work on my motor? I am in the Bowling Green, KY area.

Re: Carbs for my '83 Johnson 70hp

Try www.tcoutboard.com. You'll have to call them. They will have the carbs, used. However, be prepared for a shock when it comes to the price. You may find that it will be cheaper to buy an outboard that runs OK.

Re: Carbs for my '83 Johnson 70hp

Never mind. Go here, then drill down to your model. The carbs, complete, are available new for a shockingly low price, and you can order them direct from the site:

http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=bf6ad09c53cead335fcfd8a6471c0f7f

There's your answer, and I'm blown away by the price of the carburetor assemblies. You'll need two. The upper and lower are available from that source, but the middle carb is a dealer part, and the price is not listed. Let me check for you:

Ah...the middle carb is listed as no longer available. There's a problem. The upper and lower carbs are just $79, new, but the middle one seems to be something different. The part number for that one is 0393547. A little searching might locate one.

Re: Carbs for my '83 Johnson 70hp

I have an 83 evinrude 75hp which is about the same as your motor, it seems to me you have a timing advance issue, not a carb issue. I had the same problem until I tweeked the roller on the linkage for the carbs. It has a start line and another one. Mine works best when the linkage hits the roller between both points. You can fool with this when on the water with only a straight screwdriver. I can take some pics when I go back out to my boat if you wish but I would try this before buying new carbs.

Re: Carbs for my '83 Johnson 70hp

Any competent machinist can resise the holes and turn new larger shafts for your carbs. I have done this to a couple of old rochester 2 jet carbs, and several edelbrock 4bbl carbs. I cant imagine it being all that different on a 2 stroke carb. Depending on how worn it is, you do take the risk of slightly less airflow with a larger shaft, but I belive the amount would probably not be enough to be a problem.