1966 Fastwin Starting Issues

I recently purchased a 1966 Evinrude Fastwin 18hp. The guy I bought it from said that it ran well and started usually within 5 pulls. It has not been started in 12 months. I set the gap on the plugs at .35 (per local marine shop) and flushed the carburetor bowl. Ensured that I have spark, air, and fuel but still can?t get it to fire. I have a manual on order and hope that it will shed some light. I noticed that when I move the fuel mixture knob that the needle valve nut moves. I am new to marine engines and I don?t know the nomenclature on all the workings yet so I apologize. Any assistance is much appreciated.
Thank you

Re: 1966 Fastwin Starting Issues

I'll try to review some of the things I do when fixing mine that other folks here showed me how to do.....

#1 The spark plug gap should be .030
#2 The points gap should be .020 and this should be checked and the points cleaned as well.
#3 Check your spark with a $6 spark tester (I got mine at autozone--here's a pic) to be sure it's going to spark in the cylinder. Just having spark when grounding the plug on the block isn't really a good test.
#4 Have a friend pull on the choke knob while you pull. Those chokes won't close all the way when you pull the choke out and let go if the nylon bushing isn't in there.
#5 There is a nut on the low speed needle that you should tighten a little so that it squishes down on the washers underneath and keeps the adj. needle from turning too easily. Lightly seat the low speed needle and then loosen it counterclockwise about 1 1/2 turns. That's a good starting point.

The high speed is non-adjustable but probably needs the whole carb bowl to be soaked in cleaner and the high speed orifice blown out with compressed air.
If you take the flywheel off, make sure it gets torqued back down to 40-45 ft-lbs. upon reinstallation.

Good luck,
JBJ

Re: 1966 Fastwin Starting Issues

Thank you ..back to work I go