1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

Okay here's my story. I am the new owner of this engine and boat. The engine is a 1970 Johnson 60 on an Invader 16'. We had her running but unfortunately the gas/oil mix resulted in fouled plugs. In the ensuing change one of the plugs required a helicoil. Got that done and then with help from a few friends she eventually fires up but immediately dies out (chug, chug, KOFF, *die*). One of the friends thinks it may be a lower end issue with the shaft engaging and killing her like starting in gear. I don't see how that can be the case.

My thoughts are there is either an issue with a solenoid or simply the motor is not set right. Any help for an iboats forum newbie is gratefully appreciated.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

Bump

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

More information:

First off there is a thought this is a problem with the hydro electric shifter. I thought the default position was forward, and it should move or start. One suggestion is that it's trying to go into forward and reverse at the same time. I thought that was one of the reasons they built this system in the first place. To avoid that.

Also cranking it for a few seconds it gets hard to turn over. There is a thought the lube in the lower end is incorrect and the viscosity could be a culprit in it's starting then dieing.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

Start with the basics. Compression, spark and a fully charged battery. Doubt it's the lower end but I am no expert on the electric shift. Report back your findings and everyone can go from there.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

Went down and decided to do the basics. Good spark and compression. Checked the fuel and the vent was closed. Problem #1 solved. Guess I didn't need the fuel pump rebuild after all.

Next stop was to check some of the cabling. I am not sure how the start/run ignition advance should be set, but I did set it forward a bit and set the choke, VIOLA, she started. Ran for 30 to 45 seconds then I took off the choke and she died. She sounded great too. So I put the chike back on and she started again. But after a bit she died and wouldn't start again. Lots of cranking and fire but no VRRRROOOOOMMMMM.

Now I am wondering what the low speed idle adjustment should be? My friends were in a hurry to take the carbs apart and didn't note the settings. Any help there? Also what is the correct way to setup the run/start on the control box and at the engine? Any help now that I am "moving" forward is highly appreciated.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

Well still more to say. I have it running, BUT it backfires and kills itself. I am going to try doing the low speed carb adjustment, and then see what happens.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

And more...

Took it out last night. Runs decent at low speed, but I can't get it to rev up. Wondering if too much oil in the gas will do this? The throttle was the culprit it appears, but I can't get it into the higher register at all. Also I was only able to find the Clymer manual so the throttle linkage chart for my motor is not available. Anyone have thoughts to help? I keep moving forward, but it's still a long road.

Re: 1970 Johnson 60 HP troubles

no it will go wide open even with fuel mixed 25:1, double the rate it should be i would not see the fuel being a problem unless your down in the 16:1 rage or more. go to the sticky with the joe reves post on link n sink and carb adjustment. i think your carbs are not sinked and you jets and air needles if adjustable are all messed up.