Johnson 65ESL72S Timing question

FullMetal129

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I am almost finished doing some maintenance on my '72 65hp Johnson outboard. I could not find the max advance setting in my Johnson service manual or Clymer manual (which says "Mark" @ 4500 RPM). There is no unique "Mark" on my flywheel, just a scale. Test with timing light shows 22 degrees. Does anyone know if 22 degrees is correct? I'd like to verify before my next outing.



Thanks in advance,
Dave
 

saltchuckmatt

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Jul 19, 2019
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I am almost finished doing some maintenance on my '72 65hp Johnson outboard. I could not find the max advance setting in my Johnson service manual or Clymer manual (which says "Mark" @ 4500 RPM). There is no unique "Mark" on my flywheel, just a scale. Test with timing light shows 22 degrees. Does anyone know if 22 degrees is correct? I'd like to verify before my next outing.



Thanks in advance,
Dave

I am almost finished doing some maintenance on my '72 65hp Johnson outboard. I could not find the max advance setting in my Johnson service manual or Clymer manual (which says "Mark" @ 4500 RPM). There is no unique "Mark" on my flywheel, just a scale. Test with timing light shows 22 degrees. Does anyone know if 22 degrees is correct? I'd like to verify before my next outing.



Thanks in advance,
Dave
Not sure but here is a video. He says 26 for the 3cyl model and 22 for the 2 cyl model.

Might want to confirm that.

 

FullMetal129

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Not sure but here is a video. He says 26 for the 3cyl model and 22 for the 2 cyl model.

Might want to confirm that.

It is a 3 cylinder. I only use non-ethanol premium (91 octane). The engine has the original pistons and rings and the owner's manual recommends regular or premium "leaded" gasoline. I just finished replacing all the fuel lines, fuel pump, carb gaskets, fuel connectors so I can burn ethanol gas in a pinch, but I believe I would need to retard the timing (from spec) a bit if I made a habit of it.
 

saltchuckmatt

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It is a 3 cylinder. I only use non-ethanol premium (91 octane). The engine has the original pistons and rings and the owner's manual recommends regular or premium "leaded" gasoline. I just finished replacing all the fuel lines, fuel pump, carb gaskets, fuel connectors so I can burn ethanol gas in a pinch, but I believe I would need to retard the timing (from spec) a bit if I made a habit of it.
I don't use ethanol but from what I hear besides rubber stuff you just don't want to store it. So if used make sure you run it out of the engine before storing. (Collects water) Also, I was always told 89 octane is fine. As for lead? Not sure where you find that anymore!!!
 

FullMetal129

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I don't use ethanol but from what I hear besides rubber stuff you just don't want to store it. So if used make sure you run it out of the engine before storing. (Collects water) Also, I was always told 89 octane is fine. As for lead? Not sure where you find that anymore!!!
100LL is available at small airports. LL stands for "Low Lead", which is a misnomer as it has higher lead content than the old "regular" gas available for cars many years ago. I don't think the lead is needed in old 2 strokes, but it must be for piston aircraft.
 

F_R

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1972 65hp service manual says 22 degrees is correct.
 

saltchuckmatt

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100LL is available at small airports. LL stands for "Low Lead", which is a misnomer as it has higher lead content than the old "regular" gas available for cars many years ago. I don't think the lead is needed in old 2 strokes, but it must be for piston aircraft.
Interesting....wonder how long that's going to stick around.

Lubricates the old valves I was always told.
 

FullMetal129

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I guess the guy in the video was incorrect. Is yours the 3 cylinder?
Yes, 3 cylinder. It looks similar to the one in the video but there are some differences. Mine is a electric shift and the video shows a shift cable. The electrical cable routing looked different as well.

I just looked through my service manual, page by page until I found the 22 degree specification. I guess it helped to know it was in there (thanks F_R!), so RTFM! I wrote it into the specifications section for later reference.

I fixed a few issues so I'm looking forward to getting on the water!
 

saltchuckmatt

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Yes, 3 cylinder. It looks similar to the one in the video but there are some differences. Mine is a electric shift and the video shows a shift cable. The electrical cable routing looked different as well.

I just looked through my service manual, page by page until I found the 22 degree specification. I guess it helped to know it was in there (thanks F_R!), so RTFM! I wrote it into the specifications section for later reference.

I fixed a few issues so I'm looking forward to getting on the water!
Excellent!!!
 
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