Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

[74]

I have been in the process of rebuilding the carbs on my Johnson 50ESL71S. I was taking off the welch plugs (frost plugs) with a punch and hammer and the last plug I removed didn't want to come out. I hit the punch a little harder and went through the casting into the carb body. :facepalm: It is a clean hole and there are no issues with clearance on the butterfly valve. It is right where the valve has a recess or notched out section. This specific carb has three holes entering the main chamber. It is the center hole I punctured (enlarged.) Has this happend to anyone? Do you think JB Weld could fix this. How critical are the three holes and their specific diameters and or locations. Could I close the center hole and enlarge the other 2 or move the one hole. Are there other options. I really don't want to junk this carb. A new upper assembly costs $200. I only spent $500 on the boat, motor and trailer combined. Boat ran great all last year. It is a 15' Starcraft Caravel. I was topping out at 30 MPH on GPS. I'm pretty steamed. This is my 1st rebuild and everything was going so well.
Thanks,
MJ

 

[74]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

Woah, quite the response ~insert sarcastic laugh~ So I fixed it with JB Weld... it looks good. Going to put all back together tonight and post on my result.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

Those holes help control the low speed circut, they need to be a specfic size. You might luck out, let us know what happens.

 

[Monte1961]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

Hey and if all else fails, put some 100MPH Duct tape on it!!!

 

[74]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

Hey and if all else fails, put some 100MPH Duct tape on it!!!

I used gauge pins to get the diameter of the hole from the good carb. Then I built up the area with JB Weld and let it cure for several days. Then I drilled out the hole with the proper diameter drill. I cleaned everything up with 600 grit paper. I reassembled the carbs on Friday night and put them back on the motor. Saturday morning I tank tested her. She started on the first crank of the key and ran very smoothly. Much smoother than last year. So far so good. Next step will be taking her to the lake along with my trolling motor (just in case.) And maybe some 100 MPH duct tape.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

hey if it holds you can chock another use up for jb weld - carb repair - ive heard it works good on cracked water jackets....

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

I must say that the '73 merc 65hp that had a large crack running down all 3 cylinders' water jackets is STILL holding together after probably 20 tanks of gas through it with JBWeld holding the water jackets together. I can't say I recommend it for that purpose, but is has worked for me, and I still use the darned thing pretty regularly. the crack in the jackets was at least 1/4" wide in places!
Duct tape, jbweld, baling wire....................
BTW, those 50hp carbs can be had pretty cheaply on ebay! I'd look. Your jbweld may easily hold up from now on, just sayin'.......
JBJ

 

[74]

Re: Ran into a problem... 50ESL71S Johnson 50HP Carb Rebuild

3 times out on the water. Still running great. 30+mph WOT.
JB Weld... not just for home dental work anymore.