Question on ~1946 Firestone Outboard

[Windchime]

I am about to attempt to get what I believe is a 1946 Firestone Outboard running, but am curious about a small numbered wheel that I have not found on any of the older motors I have. For those willing to go to the trouble, two photos of this little wheel can be found by going to imgur.com, and then doing a search on "1946 firestone". I would normally suspect this was the slow speed idle, but it seems too big and complex for that. I haven't been able to find any manuals on this motor, so I would appreciate any information you can give me.

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Question on ~1946 Firestone Outboard

I did look at the (only found 1) photo on imgur and it's a carburetor adjustment. The numbers are only for your reference as adjustments vary. It's sorta like the little band on the OMC twist grip throttle that says slow, start, shift and fast. Most motors; even OMC's of that era had big dials attached to the carburetor high and low speed needles.

 

[ronboonville]

Re: Question on ~1946 Firestone Outboard

Thats your main carb needle. turn right to lean, left to richen. the idle screw or air screw should be above that somewhere. turn cw to richen, out to lean. some times you might need to remove the wheel to get it tuned in, then put it back on kinda centering the tab at the bottom so you have a range of adjustment. My 46 has the same needle but located on the front. I turn it out a litlle to start and in some after it starts to get it to run smoothly.

 

[Windchime]

Re: Question on ~1946 Firestone Outboard

Thanks to you both. I've never seen a carburator with this feature before. It sounds like a bit of trial and error is involved in getting the motor running smoothly, but then that's half the fun, right? Would we really bother with these old motors if we didn't like tinkering?