Adjusting Carb Question

I read the FAQ on adjusting the carb and it was very helpful I just have one more question.

I bought a 1961 Gale 5 hp Buccaneer. It has full forward, neutral, reverse shifting so from what I have been able to learn it should be the same as a 5.5 hp Johnson.

I starts very easy and runs just fine in the start position and the fast position but will die if I move the controller on the tiller to neutral, shift or slow it will die.

From looking thru the inspection hole, the coils are light green and look new and the carb looks like it may be have been rebuilt. The guy I bought it from said he planned to run the motor but didn't know how to change the water pump and it wasn't pumping water. When I changed it the impeller was new but it needed a hole new housing. So I think he changed and rebuilt everything and it now just needs the carb adjusted.

My question is when I adjust the slow speed on the carb, what position do I want the tiller control in? Start, Neutral, Shift, or slow. If anything but start, how do I keep it running to adjust the carb?

Thanks
This site has been a great help.

Re: Adjusting Carb Question

i like to adjust mine in forward gear. you use the word on the tiller mean nothing. you want to adjust the motor so that it runs smoothly at all speed. you have to get your high speed adjusted first.


(Low Speed) Slow the engine down to where it just stays running. Shift into neutral. Again in segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the top needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. "WITH THE TILLER HANDLE" Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running. Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back. Again, at that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Re: Adjusting Carb Question

Thanks, I have adjusted the high speed and was just curious where to put the controls on the tiller for low speed since the start setting and the fast setting on the tiller moves a toggle on the carb. I admit I have no idea what this toggle does other than I assume it somehow allows more fuel to flow since it is only in those two settings and a little more fuel is usually desired for startup.

This is my first time working with this old of a motor, this small of a motor and a tiller steer. I have always had large multiple carb motors and I wouldn't touch the carbs but I figured I could mess a single carb up too bad.