more troubles

merc1877

Cadet
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
29
still working on the 71 johnson 60hp with elctric shift so today i finished cleaning the carbs one by one to ensure no mix up of parts and put everything back on the motor primed the bulb and turned the key nothing happened when the key was being turned but when i stop turning the key it tried to start it would tat,tat,tat then die or tat and die but it wouldnt stay running for more than a couple seconds at the most so does it sound like the carbs are still dirty or did i not get them back together right im feeling better that its trying though lol lol
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: more troubles

your carbs have a slow speed adjustment needle at the top center of each carb, start by turning the in until soft seated, now turn each out 5/8 turn, some directions say 1 1/2 turn, but these need to 5/8, then adjust as follows.

(Carburetor Adjustment - Single S/S Adjustable Needle Valve)
(J. Reeves)

Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the S/S needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

Note: As a final double check setting of the slow speed valve(s), if the engine has more than one carburetor, do not attempt to gradually adjust all of the valves/carburetors at the same time. Do one at a time until you hit the above response (die out or spit back), then go on to the next valve/carburetor. It may be necessary to back out "all" of the slow speed adjustable needle valves 1/8 turn before doing this final adjustment due to the fact that one of the valves might be initially set ever so slightly lean.

When you have finished the above adjustment, you will have no reason to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.
 

merc1877

Cadet
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
29
Re: more troubles

thanks tashasdaddy i tried doing that but i went from seated to 3/4 turns out to 1 1/2 turns so i should start and 5/8 and go smaller then. ok i will give it a try tomorrow but i wasnt able to keep the motor running i tried giving it a lil throttle and tried lifting the start lever but neither worked is it normal for me to turn the key and all the way and it not start and then when i let off the key and put it in the run position for it to start? that kinda worried me. btw i did the 3/4 turn because that was what it said on the cover again thanks for all your help you have been great through this long process
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: more troubles

Check for spark at the plug wires while cranking it with the key. You could have a bad key switch, not supplying "juice" to the ignition amplifier while turned to the start position.

I'll lay you odds that it is not a carburetor problem.
 

merc1877

Cadet
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
29
Re: more troubles

well i went out this evening and adjusted the low speed to 5/8 like tashasdaddy said and it still wouldnt start so i pulled the black/white wire coming from the amplifier and hooked up a meter to see if it was pushing anything out when the key was turned and the when i turned the key the motor started right up and ran like a top so what is the problem could the amp be bad or something im more confused than i was before at this point any ideas thanks everybody
 
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