1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

[Ashaman0]

Hello, I have a 1959 10hp Johnson. I believe its a QD-20. I have replaced the coils, impeller, and spark plugs and done a fuel pump conversion and I have gotten it running. Now I just have a few kinks I am trying to work out.

1) The motor kicks every 5 seconds or so when its running.
2) I have messed with the carb settings and set the low speed needle as rich as possible but the motor still stalls out if I lower the throttle to try and shift gears.
3) When I pull the cord to start up the motor it turns the section under the flywheel which turns controls the throttle. Basically you need someone to hold the throttle in place when you pull the cord.

If anyone has any ideas on what could be causing these problems please let me know! I was thinking maybe the new coils are rubbing or something to cause the cord and kicking problem, but I really have no idea.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

1 - if the kick is rhythmic, say exactly every 2-3 seconds depending on throttle setting, then it may be the gears. If it is somewhat random in nature, then it is likely the clutch dog. Lots of posts on here about dealing with old Evinrude and Johnson clutch dogs.
2 - Chances are the carb needs a thorough disassembly and cleaning. Low speed needle should be no more than 1.5 turns from closed.
3 - Sounds like the coils aren't centered properly on the mag plate. The outer face of the laminates should be flush with the machined surface on which they mount. If they overhang even a slight bit, they'll rub on the flywheel.

 

[Ashaman0]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

I reinstalled the coils to remove the rubbing and that solved problems 1 and 3.

I then disassembled and cleaned the carb, but I am still having a problem with it stalling out when the throttle gets low enough to shift. I can get it just low enough to shift if its in neutral and it will keep running but as soon as I shift into F/R it dies. I am assuming that this is because of the torque it needs to spin the prop. I have tried starting it up in Forward and I can't get the throttle low enough to shift out of forward.

I don't really know how to tell the condition of the carb, but I had a friend who has had a lot of experience cleaning carbs help me out. There was a white calky discoloration inside the carb that I couldn't get out, but it didnt seem like a substance more of a discoloration.

Anyone have any idea what my next step should be? Thanks!

 

[Ashaman0]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

I was thinking on it and I believe I may have the problem. I think the fuel pump I have added on is built for a larger motor (25hp or so). The guy I bought the engine off of gave it to me for free and i never gave it much thought. Since my motor is much smaller perhaps there is not enough pressure at low rpm to run the fuel pump, which would cause it to die when I try to idle? Sound plausible?


Should I invest in a new fuel pump? Anyone know where I could find one?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

Very unlikly. Size doesn't matter. What does matter is whether or not it is pumping. Give the squeezer bulb a squeeze. That does what the fuel pump does. If that makes it run, you might have a defective pump. Or an air leak between the pump and fuel level in the tank.

In case you are wondering, the fuel pump pressure is determined by the pressure pulses in the crankcase of the motor...around 4-5psi on just about all motors unless it is a race job.

 

[Ashaman0]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

I perform a fuel pump conversion on my motor, so the pressure from 1 cylinder is directly connected to the fuel pump(I believe), which gives it a pressure/vacuum cycle as the motor runs. Also my fuel pump doesn't have a priming bulb. It has a glass bulb which fills with gas. Just wanted to give you a full picture of my setup. I have brand new fuel and pressure hoses everywhere, so I don't think there is an air leak anywhere.

 

[older]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

Just joined today on another problem I'm having but noticed your "kicking" problem. Is the engine sort of jumping every so many seconds and does it increase the intervals with more speed?

I fought that problem for a long time but finally found out that the forward gear lever on the side of the motor wasn't traveling fully forward due to the shift cable restricting the movement. I trimmed away part of the tubing that protects the inner cable with a Dremmel (being careful not to cut the cable inside) and now it runs like a champ!

Of course Murphy visited me again with a no water pumping situation and now stuck in reverse. Oh well, glad I'm retired.

Good luck.

 

[Ashaman0]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

Found the problem with my carb. Turns out the tip of the low speed needle broke off and is wedged in there. So basically the low speed needle is stuck all the way closed. I have no idea how to get it out. There is a little expansion plug at the end of the needle which if I could remove would possibly let me remove this little piece of metal. Anyone have any idea's? Or know where I could get a new carb?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

Remove the plug and push the tip out with a paper clip. A machine shop may be able to grind a new tip on for you...

 

[Ashaman0]

Re: 1959 10hp Johnson, kicks pretty bad while running

how do i get the plug out?