Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Weak spark on 1973 20 Hp Johnson › Reply To: Weak spark on 1973 20 Hp Johnson
OK, well first we must realize that adjusting the engine on a stand with no gearcase, doesn’t mean too much… You will have to readjust once the gearcase is back on with the boat in the water.
That being said, that engine sounds real nice to me, they will shake like that. Once you have the engine running on the boat, make sure it gets up to temperature also. Just check the upper side mounts to make sure they haven’t separated/broken.
One more thought. You have reported hard starting when cold, I am assuming you have been starting the engine with the gearcase off, am I correct? If so, the engine may be hard starting simply because of the lack of load placed on it by the gearcase and water pump…. Have you ever tried to start a rotary mower without the blade installed? Most of them won’t start, they need the blade installed/load to help carry the crank through full rotations….