Question: Outboard repair question

[basswacker]

I have a 1976 70hp Johnson outboard that I think could use a little help. It starts great, and seems to run fine, but it just doesn't seem to have the power it used to. When I give it the gun it will hesitate and bog down a little before taking off. I bought the boat and motor from my Uncle and I remember as a kid it would have no problem pulling a slalom skier out of the water with three adults and a couple kids in the boat. Now if I have two good size adults and a kid in the boat and try towing a couple of bigger kids on a tube I can hardly get them going. The boat is a 15ft 1976 tri-hull.

Do I need to take it in for a tune up or carb overhaul? I have changed plugs and I have also recently put a new prop on it. The prop was identical in pitch to the old one which had numerous chips in it and was out of pitch.

Next question. It is at Sherman reservoir and I live in Omaha. I would rather take it somewhere closer if it needs work, but will drag it to Omaha if that is the best place to take it.

Any suggestions on boat shops or other thoughts are appreciated. PM me if it is not appropriate to give specific recommendations on the board.

Thanks!!

[fishtrap]

i got a 1977 16ft tri haul with a 75 hp evinrude, it did the same thing, i put in new carb kits, all my fuel lines were old and full of pin holes, when i opened it up, it would suck air, so the first thing i would do is replace ALL the fuel lines, maybe put in some carb kits to, good luck

[basswacker]

How hard is it to do a carb kit yourself? I am fairly mechanicaly inclined, but messing with a carb kind of scares me.

[fishtrap]

i didn't do the carbs my self i got a friend that did them for me, my main problem was my fuel lines, they were the orignal lines, if yours has the orignal lines they most likely are old and cracked.

[ydoc]

Not sure about repair shops out THERE, but if you look at my recent thread regarding local repairs to older (mine is a 1965!) Johnson motors, there were a couple shops listed...

Hope that helps.

[markh28]

Originally Posted by basswacker

How hard is it to do a carb kit yourself? I am fairly mechanicaly inclined, but messing with a carb kind of scares me.

If you are mechanically inclined, then you shouldn't have any problems with the carbs. Get a repair manual for your particular engine. Or at the very least, go to OMC Parts, Mercruiser Stern Drive & Outdrive, Evinrude, Mercury, Johnson and look up your make/model/year on their parts catalog. It will show you the exploded view of the carbs. Thats where I order all my boat motor parts from if I cant get it from the local boat places. They ship fast and I think its someplace in Colorado.

There are two different types of "carb kits" available. A gasket kit will have all the gaskets you need and a repair kit has things like needle, seat, springs, etc. More often than not I just go with the gasket kits since they are cheaper and the needles and springs tend to last for a good long time and usually dont need replaced.

Just take it apart, clean it out good with carb cleaner, put it back together the same way it came apart. When i do one I will usually take lots of close up pics with my digital camera before I tear into it that way if I dont remember where something goes I can go back and look at the pic. It has saved me a few times.

Good Luck

[basswacker]

Thanks! The digital camera idea is great, I will have to do that. I am thinking I can do the carb myself. Looks like a fall project.

[stox4u]

Thanks Markh! that is by far the best website i've ever seen for parts with pix.

[ydoc]

Originally Posted by stox4u

Thanks Markh! that is by far the best website i've ever seen for parts with pix.

Crap... Johnson motors only go as old as 1970 (I have a 1965).

[Harold]

Or,
call JJ at 308-745-1535 in Loup City.

He does ALL my boat/motor work.

Harold F.