Hard Starting 1975 4HP

[Papa Steve]

I have a 4W75A 1975 Johnson 4HP. It has been sitting for a long time. I got it out to start it up. It took about 15 pulls. I began with new gas/ oil. I started but ran kind of rough. So I added some Sea Foam and ran it for about a hour at various speeds. It seemed to run better. I adjusted the idle low/ high and seemed to run good. But when I shut it off or if it died on me for idling it too low I hd a very hard time restarting it. i would need to choke it adjust the idle a little pull pull pull pull pull. What do you think the problem might be? Is it my points, condenser, coil??? Thanks for helping me. Papa Steve

 

[racerone]

The ignition system was designed and built to produce up to 28,000 volts.------Laying the plugs on the plug will often show spark.-----But that spark may not be from 28,000 volts.-----So does spark from your magneto jump a gap of 5/16", yes or no ?------A 1975 model 4 hp either has cracked original coils or a new set already.----Just the way it is.

 

[oldboat1]

In addition, reset the high and low speed needles to proper initial settings, then fine tune. Initial setting for the h.s. is 1 turn open for lightly closed. l.s. is 1 1/2 turns open. Final settings will probable be a bit leaner (clockwise), but motors vary. Need to be in a test barrel or the lake, properly warmed up. If you can't fine tune it and the ignition is performing like it should, clean/rebuild the carb -- and lose the Sea Foam in the tank.