Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1957 35 hp Johnson RJE-19 No Top End › Re: 1957 35 hp Johnson RJE-19 No Top End
With the fact that this happened RIGHT after your needles vibrated loose, you need to start your troubleshooting there.
Start by resetting them from scratch. TOP 1.5 turns out from seated, bottom 3/4 out from seated, then tune on the water. Let us know if you need help with this? Perhaps your high speed needle is turned out many turns from seated right now, running super RICH.
Now, worst case scenario, your needles vibrated loose, and ran the motor lean somehow, detonating it? I don’t think so, as the motor has tabs which prevent excessive movement of the needles should this happen. But I suppose it could.
As Frank stated above, first ensure the compression is accurate. If it is accurate, time to rebuild or look for a new powerhead. Equalish, low readings often indicate a blown head gasket between cylinders. IF that compression is accurate, I would start there.