1974 johnson 25 seahorse

Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
7
I recently bought a 14ft carolina boat with a 1974 johnson 25 on it. The guy told me it had been sitting up for about 2 years and he doubted it would crank. It does crank, but it doesn't idle like it should. I cleaned the carb. Now when you give it the gas the engine shakes, revs up, then loses power. Its almost like it isnt getting enough fuel. I think the coils and plugs need changing. Any advice?
 

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: 1974 johnson 25 seahorse

Test compression and test spark. Using a spark tester, will it jump a 7/16 gap with a blue arc?

Eliminating the first two, will point to fuel delivery.

MAS
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1974 johnson 25 seahorse

carb cleaning, you have a fixed high speed jet that needs to be cleaned.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013

carb low speed settings: (Carburetor Adjustment - Single S/S Adjustable Needle Valve)
(J. Reeves)

Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the S/S needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Note: As a final double check setting of the slow speed valve(s), if the engine has more than one carburetor, do not attempt to gradually adjust all of the valves/carburetors at the same time. Do one at a time until you hit the above response (die out or spit back), then go on to the next valve/carburetor. It may be necessary to back out "all" of the slow speed adjustable needle valves 1/8 turn before doing this final adjustment due to the fact that one of the valves might be initially set ever so slightly lean.

When you have finished the above adjustment, you will have no reason to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.
 
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
172
Re: 1974 johnson 25 seahorse

Easy to tell if plugs need to be changed. For coils, you need at least the service manual with specs and can then check resistances. If the surfaces are cracked, then silicone seal might prevent arcing to ground. Usually a bad coil is bad at all RPM. There are too many loose ends, you have to eliminate one possibility after the other (fuel pump, etc).




I recently bought a 14ft carolina boat with a 1974 johnson 25 on it. The guy told me it had been sitting up for about 2 years and he doubted it would crank. It does crank, but it doesn't idle like it should. I cleaned the carb. Now when you give it the gas the engine shakes, revs up, then loses power. Its almost like it isnt getting enough fuel. I think the coils and plugs need changing. Any advice?
 
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