1962 johnson motor repair, help?

jay12292

Cadet
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
6
i got a boat and my dad and me are having trouble with it. its a 1962 (i think) 75 hp johnson electramatic super seahorse. my dad says "it runs rough". when we run it (or try to) it starts but dies quickly if we dont put it in gear. when we did have it running in neutral it was idling pretty high, then he put it in reverse and it revved down, to me that doesn't seem right. ask me questions about it, and i will try to answer them. we have no money to bring it anywhere to get looked at and i have no clue where to turn. all help is appreciated.
 
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F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1962 johnson motor repair, help?

It obviously isn't running on all four cylinders. First test is to check the compression. If that passes, check for spark. It should jump a 1/4" open air gap with ease. Checking to see if it will jump a spark plug gap is not a test. Third is how about the spark plugs? Then you can move on to the carburetor. Is it all gunked up from stale rotten gas?

FYI, it has two sets of breaker points. One set fires two cylinders and the other set fires the other two. It also has a two-barrel downdraft carburetor. Each side feeds two cylinders.
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: 1962 johnson motor repair, help?

You have turned to the right place. The experts on this forum, which I am NOT, should be able to help you. Very important for responders to have the model number of your motor. Please look for a manufacturer"s ID plate on the mouting bracket or half-dollar sized aluminum plug/disk on the side of your motor's powerhead. Post it in this tread when you find it. Good luck!
 

jay12292

Cadet
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
6
Re: 1962 johnson motor repair, help?

@ F_R - we already cleaned the spark plugs and checked compression. he thinks it has something to do with the carberator because when it was in reverse he went over to the motor and switched it to "choke on" and the motor revved really high.

@willyclay - model: V4AL 14L
yes i know the model number is unusual, but dont forget that this is from the 60's
 

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,264
Re: 1962 johnson motor repair, help?

TD edited out your email address, so I sent you a Private Message.
 
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