1960 40HP Johnson not starting

[73hustler]

I have been trying to get my 1960 Johnson RDS-22 going. I have done the carb, Points, Wires, Fuel Pump works, Spark is good, Compression is at 110. I could get it started with a little start fluid and hitting the throtle quickly once started. I thought i had it running good enough to get it on the water and tune in the Carb better and while on the Mississippi it did start and run ok. However with recent flooding I decided not to go for it. (Strong currents). The next day I took the boat to a small Lake off of the river, dumped it in a tossed in an ancher. I Could NOT get it to start to save my live and ended up in the middle of the lake (Not so small) cause the Anchers didn't hold. Before i rip off the carb again is there any advice out there? I got the High 1 turn and Low 1.5 turns but no luck. Thanks for any responces and sorry for bad spelling!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

When you did the carb, what did you do to it? Clean it? Soak it? New carb kit? remove the welch plugs and clean behind them?

And I see you did not do the coils. Yet you say good spark. How did you test it? Holding the plug against the block is not enough. Use a spark tester and get it to jump 3/8". Did you look at the coils?

 

[73hustler]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

Thankx for a fast response. The carb I cleaned, shot C&C cleaner, Blow with Air Compressor, Basicly took everything off cleaned and checked. No kit. welch plugs? (not sure) but probably.
No I didn't put in new points and Condencers but the points look fairly newer. Also, I didn't replace the Coils, But the spark is jumping in the tester. One coil looks replaced once. I know i should replace alot to really rule out, But alot adds up and I just want to get to use it one time before the cold sets in. And to have more $$ to do it.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

Well you're going to have to diagnose what's going on. And if you're 100% sure you have good compression then it's one of the 2 above. So you used a spark tester and got a good strong blue spark going 3/8" on both? If yes, then pull the carb off and do the compete job. You need to remove the welch plug on top and clean under it. (search the forum for the procedure) This is where the low speed circuit gums up. Also set the float right. It's all in the top secret file at the top of the forum.

When is the last time it ran properly and was it stored correctly?

 

[73hustler]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

Ya i guessed i would need to do the carb again, I'll defenitly look for the procedure (maybe something i missed) I never did check the float setting, though it was very clean in there. I'll probably just do the kit sence it will be off again. Thanks alot for your time.

As far as last time. Who knows? All I do know is that is was garage kepted. The guy that sold it never got to doing anything with it. So who knows.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

That thing have the electric choke? Make sure the choke plate is closed all the way when attempting to start, if not they take forever.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

#68 is what you want to remove and clean under. Then get a new core plug and replace it (it's in the carb kit). This pic is from a '62 40hp.

 

[73hustler]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

samo_ott- Thanks for the Dia. I do actually have a blow up of everthing for the motor.
How do you even get the Core plug out. Do you need to drill a hole to pull it out or what?

bktheking- Yes it does have Elec choke and I will make sure it is closed when I get it back togeather. Thanks

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

Yes, you need to drill a very small hole in the plug but DO NOT let that bit go down in the cavity!

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1960 40HP Johnson not starting

Also, you could use a hammer and punch, or thread in a self tapping screw and pull it out.