Fire up the old girl!

mscher

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Apr 21, 2004
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1,424
Just purchased a jonboat with this baby attached at auction today. Could not get it to start in the water bucket.

The boat had a 2010 registration (sticker over many from previous years), so it's likely the motor has been in use. The gas looked all right, but I have not changed it and do not know what the mix should be. It has new plugs and pretty new plug wires (or they just age well).

The motor has good good spark, but the motor won't fire and the spark plugs end up wet. I have tried the choke and full throttle with the choke off. no fire.

The model is CD-14 and the s/n 1672093. It looks like the motor has been pretty well cared, considering it's age. Also, what needs to be done with the high and low speed mixture adjustment.

Any help or information appreciated.
 

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able2zero

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Jun 19, 2010
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15
Re: Fire up the old girl!

I would be worried if the plug were "not" wet. if they are you are getting lube in the cyilender.

quote "what needs to be done with the high and low speed mixture adjustment."
Answer "nothing if what you said is true about the motor being well cared for." Unless you take the carbs apart to have them cleaned you "shouldn't" have to worry about adjusting them.


my suggestion would be to clean the carbs "GOOD". if there is any obstruction you will not get it started/running. Also look at the kill switch. you will never get it started if it is bad. I do not know if it is tied in with your ignition or not.

You need three things to start an engine, fuel and compression, and spark. (you have air if there is compression) So if you have good clean spark, take a look at the fuel delivery. Only other thing I can think of is that the fuel/air mix is not compressing in the cylinder to be ignited by the plug (if you have good spark).
 

cougar1985

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Oct 7, 2005
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1,023
Re: Fire up the old girl!

do not trust anybody elses settings for the high low speed mixture adjustments, your just asking for grief.what i mean is how do you know that some kid didnt play with the settings?if the low speed setting is way off it may never start period!adjust it properly yourself and you will be assured that it has been done correctly.when ever i work on one of the oldies whether for myself or somebody else the first thing i do is make sure their set at their base line for adjusting.had many a person say they couldnt start their motor only to adjust the slow speed and fire right up.proper mix is 24 :1.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Fire up the old girl!

carb adjustments here
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352
it is a 1957 5.5hp 24:1 fuel:eek:il ratio.
at trick i found is the get a socket that fits the flywheel nut, adapter for a drill motor, it will save your arm. when testing.

have you done a compression check?
 

mscher

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Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Fire up the old girl!

do not trust anybody elses settings for the high low speed mixture adjustments, your just asking for grief.what i mean is how do you know that some kid didnt play with the settings?if the low speed setting is way off it may never start period!adjust it properly yourself and you will be assured that it has been done correctly.when ever i work on one of the oldies whether for myself or somebody else the first thing i do is make sure their set at their base line for adjusting.had many a person say they couldnt start their motor only to adjust the slow speed and fire right up.proper mix is 24 :1.

Both settings are set to half-way between min and max.

How do I adjust the settings, without the motor running? Start at rich?
 

philsboat

Cadet
Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
17
Re: Fire up the old girl!

Install two new spark plugs.Turn jets in until lightly seated then back them out 1 1/2 turns.Should run.

P
 

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Fire up the old girl!

Squirted some mix gas in the cylinders and she fired right up. Seemed like she was wanting to run.

I had her in a 5 gallon bucket, fed with a hose, but it seems to start running hot, with very little water spitting out the exaust. I only ran for a minute or less. I'm going to get a full barrel to test her in.

I'd like to take a look at the impeller, but have not worked on one before. I'll look at carb adjustments before I take her to the lake.

This is really cool. ;) I had an obsession with perfecting an old neptune once, at a lake cabin, but it was not mine to keep and learn on. This one is.
 

Daviet

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Sep 24, 2008
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8,958
Re: Fire up the old girl!

Make sure the water level in the barrel is well above the water pump.
 

1946Zephyr

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Oct 21, 2008
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5,556
Re: Fire up the old girl!

If you end up having to replace the impeller in that motor, you'll have to pull the powerhead, to undo the shift rod at the shifter. Pretty nice lookin old motor you have there.:D
 

jmendoza

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 9, 2008
Messages
314
Re: Fire up the old girl!

I have the first year, 1954, second model 5.5 in that year, the CD11, see pictures. There is a wealth of info out there on these engines, but try starting here: http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Johnson/default.htm



I did the fuel pump mod and eliminated the two line pressure tank(mile master/cuise-a-day). I also replaced the coils, carb float, overhauled the carb, and water pump, plus a new head gasket, all are availlable(try I Boats, they have this stuff). I then treated myself to a set of decals and had the paint matched in spray cans and re-finished the engine.

Feel free to ask me questions on this particular engine as I had mine all apart and will help if I know the answer. Just ran it this weekend with my twin 6 year old sons and caught trout on the lake, not a fast engine, but reliable and smooth.
 

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Tim Frank

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Re: Fire up the old girl!

Both settings are set to half-way between min and max.

How do I adjust the settings, without the motor running? Start at rich?

No.
That vintage the span of the adjustment is ~ 1/2 turn....i.e. +/- 1/2 turn before you hit "stops".

Loosen the centre screw on each in turn, and you should be able to slide the plastic knob 1/2 way off....which should then clear the "stop". Tighten that screw and the knob should be locked to the shaft again.
You can then gently turn the knob C/W until it seats then unscrew one turn.
(everyone seems to have a number from somewhere...I have used anything from 3/4 to 1-1/2 turns and been OK) You will be adjusting it when tthe motor is warm anyway.

When you are done final adjustment, loosen the knobs again, centre them, fully seat them at the mid-point, and retighten the screw.
 
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