Idle restriction plug '72 85hp but not '73?

Hey, Everybody.

I've been rebuilding my carbs on my '72 Johnson 85hp and noticed that there is an idle restriction plug (part # 27 on the diagram) for that year...I'm assuming in the orifice near the welsh caps/plugs.

The motor is clearly a '72 verified by the 72 in the model #

However, I don't see these idle restriction plugs in my carbs.
There are two possibilities
1: They were removed and never put back in.
2: The carbs were replaced with '73 or later (no low idle needles).

My question is since these parts are now obsolete:
How necessary are these restriction plugs (I'm hoping not very since they did away with them in '73), and what should I do if they are?

I'm trying to get the motor started for the first time in many years, and the first since I've owned it, so I'm sweating every detail.

Thanks.

Re: Idle restriction plug '72 85hp but not '73?

First thing I would check for is the assembly part number and verify what carb set you actually have. If they are original, the top carb should be a 385241 and the lower should be a 385242. 1973 85hp carb numbers are 385361 upper and 385362 lower. The part number will probably be in ink on the venturi body. It's pretty difficult to see if there is any kind of dirt on the carbs.

Re: Idle restriction plug '72 85hp but not '73?

The 1972 parts catalog seems to say that restrictor was only used on certain carburetors. That sort of suggests both types were used that year. (????)

Re: Idle restriction plug '72 85hp but not '73?

That's great information!
Because, I checked the assembly part # on my carbs and they are indeed '72's.

They still don't have idle restriction plugs that I can see.
I can put them back together now with less anxiety.

Wish me luck.

Thanks Guys!