1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

[ronboonville]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

After installing my welch plugs I added some fingernail polish just because I read it on the forum. Whatever color you can find. On the fuel problem I was able to get a rebuild pump kit at napa. I also finally found a new float. That with the kit and new pump hose fixed my Gale 35 which is about the same as your super seahorse. New fuel lines, because finding small pieces of rubber in the carb again and again.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Looks great industrial! Clean enough to eat off. Spark should be good to go. All that remains is compression and fuel. Keep us posted.......

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Ok.The current situation: Got it all back together and cranked it three times for about 15-20 seconds each time. Nothing on the first two cranks. Same as usual. On the final attempt I got 5 seconds of cranking, a backfire out of the exhaust, a cough, sputtering for a couple of seconds, then it started for about 3-5 seconds, backfired twice (again out of the lower unit exhaust) about a second apart. I did not attempt to crank it again and finished for the evening. I'm thinking that the next step is to recheck the gap in the points and adjust? Anything else? The Slow Speed adjustment is 1-1/2 turns out from seated and the High Speed is 1 turn out from seated. a few drops of fuel dripped out of the air intake after the cranking (could be because the motor is on a stand that tilts it forward a few degrees- 5 maybe). Here is a list of what I have done to the motor so far: Replaced all fuel and vapor lines. Rebuilt the Carb. Replaced the Spark Plugs (Champion J4C). Rebuilt the fuel pump completely. Rebuilt the ignition completely - coils, condensers, points, cam wick, wires and boots. The entire engine has been degreased and cleaned and all linkages have been checked and lubricated. Any insights are appreciated. Almost there-feeling optimistic.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Does anyone have any advice as to what to tweak next? Slow needle? Points gap? Carbon buildup? Lil' Help?

 

[ronboonville]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

I would back up, check the points again, make sure no wires are pinched or rubbing, tear down carb again and look for rubber in check valve, open the needles more. but that's what I'd do. even shooting some mix into carb or into the cylinders might get it to fire.

 

[grid]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

My, my...my first legal-aged job, installing and rigging a Golden Javelin on a 16' Larson. Hard to believe the years have passed so quickly. Okay, take a look at this: the older OMCs had a propensity for snapping flywheel keys when they backfired. The key can be sheared just enough so you can have spark, but it's at the wrong time. If it were mine, I'd stop dealing with the carb and yank the flywheel. The coils are probably cracked and starting to short to the magneto plate. A set of points,condensers, and coils will make that sweetie just shake with joy. As far as the welch plug, seal it with fingernail polish. That'll 1) seal the edges to prevent air leaks, and 2) justify anything your wife finds suspicious in your car.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Double checking the points is a good idea.

Don't know if you are in neutral and opening the throttle up as much as possible. I would try to start it again. If she doesn't fire start to turn the slow needle in 1/4 turn at a time and see if she will start.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Hey Grid- read my post right before yours (#43)... So I got it running this evening. Started anyway. Noticed that there was no water pumping so I replaced the impeller immediately. Even after replacing the impeller, no water spits out of the exhaust so I start it and it dies after about 10 seconds or less. I checked the temperature and it didn't seem to be overheating, but I stopped trying to start it anyway until I figure out the cooling. Yes, I had a hose hooked up to the water intake pushing a lot of water through there. (I used a 3D printer to print out a super plastic adapter that screws on the mounting holes for the intake pate and has a hose adapter.) Used compressed air to blow back through the exhaust a bit to see of there was an obstruction. i had a few drops of water on the upper exhaust, but is didn't spit out like my other engines. At one point I had a stream coming out of the upper exhaust when the motor wasn't running, I assume that there isn't an obstruction. Any ideas what to do about the water flow? The engine wants to run about ten seconds before dying. The bowl stays full. It starts only after choking for a crank, then closing the choke and pushing the throttle to start during cranking. Runs loud (like a car without a muffler) and rough, but it runs a bit. Feels like progress, but I need some solid advice on the cooling. Help! THX

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

awesome! I swear they designed all the droids in Star Wars by looking at vintage outboards. Those Javelins are cool as cool can be

Yea, it seems like I seen at least one driod with this look

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

How did the 3D printing of the plastic adapter work? Did it work well? First time I've heard of someone using a 3D printer for a practical reason!

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Fits perfectly. I get tons of water pushing through the intake with zero loss around the seal. Was able to print to the exact dimension of the intake and screw holes. I've been using 3D printing for 15 years for product development prototyping- unfortunately the new media hype is about printing silly stuff.

NEED HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Removed the LU again today to retrace if any other gaskets are worn or out of place. Was hopeful that the new impeller and the three new gaskets around the impeller housing and the top of the impeller drive shaft would do it. I blew compressed air into the water tubes (2) and into the exhaust outlets to check for obstructions after the impeller. I had a small amount of air moving out the upper exhaust. When I went to run the motor today, it behaved pretty much like the last time. Starts after the choke is used and then cranked a second time pretty consistently. Runs for 5 seconds and dies. On the last time it ran for 10 -15 seconds, but I dod not get any water to spit out the exhaust-only LOTS of smoke. So I cut it and packed it up for the day- lots of rain here. Can anyone help diagnose the next step please? I'm stumped.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Your water pump isn't working or there is a significant blockage. If you blew air and just felt a little flow, water is much more dense and will not flow as well as air. I say try and chase a blockage.

It fires, 5 seconds and ran for 10 seconds or so, then back to square one on the carb and fuel pump. You have a delivery issue.

Hook a long line to the out side of the fuel pump and crank the motor. Put the end of the tube in a container and see what happens.

If that pumps then it's time to tear the carb down and clean it out again

It's all simple stuff that can be very frustrating. Been there before and will see it again. That's my .02, good luck.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

64osby- I really appreciate the quick response. Tomorrow is my last day to work on it for several weeks. So I will break it down and chase blockages. One more question is which way do the "blades" of the impeller bend into the housing? or better asked: which way does the impeller rotate when looking up into the impeller casting (i.e. as if one was looking at the impeller from the skeg upward? A marine mechanic said to rotate it in clockwise, but the Johnson manual shows it rotated into the housing counterclockwise. -See attached image.
Please advise.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

the driveshaft rotates CW, and the vanes of the impeller have to trail that rotation...ie, be bent backwards in relation to the CW rotation when viewed from the top.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Thanks much nwcove! So I can at least now leave that part alone! Blockages and fuel. Tomorrow is another day.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Well, the fuel pumps in a trickle when i crank the engine and have the "Fuel Out" line targeting a bowl. I thought I would test the engine in a barrel to see if that makes a difference, but there is not water pumping. I will now focus on blockages as the cause. I will pull a bike brake cable and fish it through to see if I can find something. If that doesn't break through, then I need to do more major stuff I assume. I've certainly learned a lot, but this will be the first time I'm pulling much more than the carb, starter or fuel pump in there...

Can anyone tell me or point me to a forum that deals with the blockages "under the cowl"? Much appreciated.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

When looking at the impeller housing in your hand upside down like your pic, it will be CCW as pictured.

You do have it deep enough right?

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

HighTrim, I had it submerged to about 3-4 inches over the water intake plate.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Not enough, the pump is not self priming. It need to be submerged almost up to the exhaust relief port or it will not pump.

 

[Industrialmaterial]

Re: 1958 Johnson super seahorse 35 starting problems-fuel system?

Ok. Thanks. Will try that as a last ditch effort to avoid major surgery. Really appreciate the help. Will update.