69 Johnson 55hp tune-up

[AJRanger]

My new (old) motor (model 55ESL69A) Ain't right.

I will order a repair manual in a couple weeks, but until then, I need some help... the fish won't wait that long.

When I first got this, the engine was coughing and dying at low idle and generally sounding like junk. I adjusted the throttle until it was solid on idle, but now the motor sputters and sounds starved at high RPMs. I can't find a happy balance. I am thinking it might be a carb issue, but I am hesitant to open that bad boy up as the edges of the gasket look bad. I picked up a can of carb cleaner, but I am not finding anything that looks like a good place to spray it, without taking the front off of the carb.

Any ideas, suggestions or ridicule for buying an ancient motor would be welcome.

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: 69 Johnson 55hp tune-up

No ridicule here.Suggestions are welcome.Welcome to I-BOATS FORUMS...Youve got a manual on your list,so thats a good start.If this engine has been sitting for awhile,you can read through the top secret files,awakening a sleeping outboard section.If its running good with throttle up,and coughing and spitting in low ,it could be sucking unwanted air from a leaking gasket or from the low speed needle valve being in too far.Too much air will lean it out,giving too much air to gas causing unwanted heat on the pistons and cyls.Your carb might just be dirty.There is a few things that would cause the symtoms youve described.Get the manual,read in it some troubleshooting and it will prob clear a few things up .

 

[AJRanger]

Re: 69 Johnson 55hp tune-up

Thanks. I think I am going to go ahead and rebuild the carb, toss in a new fuel pump, replace my gnarly looking fuel lines, buy a boat cover, and hope my wife doesn't leave me :

First, I better get that Manual.