Adjusting speed lever on 1960 3 hp johnson

[billy-t]

Thanks will see if I can use this to improve my lever. Thanks

[stanley]

Several years ago I bought a mint 1957 Johnson JW.It ran perfectly,but like yours didn’t idle with lever between marks on ring.I swapped in a different mag plate then carb and finally a powerhead from another good engine I had.Nothing changed,it still would not idle with lever between the marks.

[aquasonic]

mike n wrote:

correct me if i am wrong but if the cam is adjusted all the way out,that would retard the timing at idle.i would adjust the cam as per crosby mans instructions. i have several evinrude 3hp’s and the fuel tank bracket has notches to line up the throttle lever. with the slack in the carb linkage taken up,this should be the position where the carb throttle plate just begins to rotate.i never really go by the words on the engine, but more how it runs in general

I seems to me that adjusting the cam wouldn’t affect the timing at all. The cam adjustment would only affect the amount of fuel at any given timing position. By adjusting the cam, you are providing the optimal amount of fuel at any timing position. Is this right?

Improvise-Adapt-Overcome

[crosbyman]

sounds logical to me…. hence the term “synchronization” of 2 contributing factors for proper engine performance.

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[jcrigan]

That seems kind of normal for these motors. Every tiny bit of wear shows up at the throttle lever. Good cheap, simple motors to learn on and use.

[billy-t]

Yes have looked again and if I set the lever at the slow position the cam has a gap between it and the follower, to get it out further isnt possible it is as far forward as it will go with the adjusting screw so the answer is just mark a new idle setting on the halo for those not familiar with the motor.

[jcrigan]

You can always take a file to the screw slot to gain more adjustment on the throttle cam.

[fleetwin]

Like Frank says, those stamped steel cams often get bent inwards when the carb linkage gets stiff…
Which brings me to another question…Are you sure the carb butterfly is closing completely when the cam isn’t touching the follower? You can’t really tell unless you pull the carb off and have a look through the back side of the carb to make sure the butterfly is closing/seating properly. Linkages get jammed, throttle shafts/butterflies get worn, throttle shafts get corroded, all these things can lead to a butterfly that won’t close seat properly…
I’m assuming you have the throttle linkage return spring correctly installed, and it has sufficient tension…

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