Reply To: 1931 Johnson OA 55

[plummah]

I picked up the same motor, serial number 160082, a few years ago and got it running with minimal repairs. It doesn’t really like to start, even when warm, without a bit of fiddling. I begin with the spark advance about in the middle, air on full choke, and gas about 1/2 turn. Once it pops slowly open the air and gas, three hands would be a definite plus. Mine usually dies several times and if I’m quick enough cutting the air, not quite to full choke, it will pick up again and after a bit I’ll end up at about 1 to 1-1/4 turns on gas with air lever on fast. Sometime it just won’t pop so I turn off the gas and after a few pulls it will start then I quickly open the gas 1/2 turn or a little more. After a trip around the lake shutting down will necessitate the same procedures all over again. I thought, originally, that there was some ignition problems. Tested coil, cleaned & adjusted points, cleaned carb, changed plug wires. Don’t know if there is anything else I could do to improve starting. Once it is going it runs great at all speeds. Idles down beautifully. Do have to adjust the gas occasionally as vibrations seems to back it off even though packing nut is pretty tight. It is well matched with my 1940 14′ Old Town Square Stern boat.