1978 Johnson 2hp - Needle Valves stick out too far

[Putzaroni1]

So I am going fishing and at this point am motor less until this is running so I thought I'd ask rather than row.

I have taken this thing apart a couple times over the last couple years but haven't got it running right yet and have a few questions.
The carb has been off it and cleaned thoroughly with a new kit installed.

1) When putting the Hi and low speed needle valves back in, they seem to stick out further than they should. There is the little stopper on the front plate of the motor to limit how far you can adjust them without taking the little adjustment caps off the valves but both of them sit out too far so the stopper doesn't even touch. Am I just being too careful not to force them ? They turn until they are snug and I stop so as not to force them. The needle valve nuts aren't too tight as the high speed one has everything out including the nut, plastic washer and packing washers but still don't go in far enough.

To confirm, high speed needle valve is the longer valve, the slow speed is the shorter one ? Also, can you somehow loosen the top needle valve nut without taking the carb back out ? I can't figure out how to tighten it once the needle is in. Maybe you need to tighten it about right when it's out and not adjust it again once it's assembled ?

Thanks for any ideas to help get me up and running

 

[Vic.S]

ITYWF that the high speed needle is the shorter of the two. They have different designed tips which should identify them by reference to the parts diagram

See also Joe Reeves' instructions for adjusting the needles on the Engine FAQs board


You may find the manual at http://boatinfo.no/lib/evinrude/manuals/1971-1989johnsonevinrude.html useful

 

[Putzaroni1]

Well that's embarrassing. When I look at the picture above, yes I did try the needles backwards. I took it all apart again last night, replaced the packing nuts and seated the needles as deep as they would go. I put a bit more pressure on them as I think I was afraid of bending the needles and they screwed in further. Once all back together I put it in the tank and with some tweaking it seems to run well both at high speed and slow.
Now we'll see how fast this beast will push my 12 foot aluminum ;-)
Thank you Vic S.