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Johnson RDE-18 Carburetor

M

midloglen

Member
I purchased a Johnson RDE-18 30HP outboard that was sitting in a barn. After cleaning out most of the mouse droppings in the carburetor I disassembled and found that there is not spring attached to the needle and no place to attach one if I wanted to. Was that the norm back in '56? Is this a non-tampered carb? I assume if I purchase a replacement it will include the spring.

Thanks,
Glen
 
The spring was not used, nor needed, in 1956-- Unless the float valve needle & seat have been replaced with a newer style. Sometime back in the 1960's the steel needle was replaced with a soft-tipped needle. The soft tipped needle may stick in the seat, thus the spring to drag it down. New needle & seats come with the necessary spring.
 
Hi, Gator. I probably have some new original needle/seats, if needed. Take a magnifier and study both needle and seat. Your original may be perfect. When installing a synthetic tip needle, make sure the spring is snug enough to pull down the needle as soon as possible.
 
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