71 Johnson 50 ran great till I put cowling back on

[Jconnell43]

Took boat out on lake yesterday after carb and water pump rebuild
Took cowling off and fine tuned both slow speed adjustment needles.
Ran great at all speeds till I put cowling back on, boat would not go past idle apparently needed more air, cowling intake was not blocked.
Broke off little key in ignition, had spare luckily.

1.What's causing the lack of air?

2. How do you get a new key?

Thanks to all,
Jim

 

[eavega]

Re: 71 Johnson 50 ran great till I put cowling back on

1.What's causing the lack of air?

Best explanation I have heard of a motor that runs well with the cowling off, and bad with it back on is exhaust leaking into engine compartment. You might have a gasket going bad there.

-Rgds

 

[Jconnell43]

Re: 71 Johnson 50 ran great till I put cowling back on

Eric,

Good advice, when I remounted the lower unit I don't think I pulled the 2 wires to it all the way up.
I had noticed water coming up through that hole so I don't think that the rubber seal on the wires was sealing that hole.

 

[boobie]

Re: 71 Johnson 50 ran great till I put cowling back on

Take the air box cover off, start the mtr up and spray some fogging oil into the carb throats. You'll find the exhaust leak real fast.