1981 Johnson 60hp idle issue...

[Skezix]

I have a cream puff 1981 60hp johnson, might have 50 hours on it. My father used it rarely.. Since I obtained it I cannot get it to just sit and idle, well I take that back after she is super warm she will idle but after a few mins a cooling she will not hold a neutral idle.. Choke up fires right up every time, choke down and she dies.. I have to quickly get her into gear.. 5 years ago I rebuilt both carbs, replaced the fuel pump, impeller.. Just an over all bring her up to speed.. Runs like a top but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get her to idle just a tad higher.. I noticed the cable adjustments although a bit leary about playing with them until I have the knowledge if they are even the culprit, stretched a tad maybe? IDK.. I have done a search and so many different models and adjustments I just want to make sure I am getting the correct advice. Thank you very much in advance.

Skez..

 

[Skezix]

Kinna hard to say the next time it is hard to start see if the plugs are wet with fuel. You can pull the jets and clean them without pulling the carb there are three jets per carb. How old are the plugs and plug wires? First instinct is to go to fuel but allways start with compression then check spark gap with a spark gap tester. If it has been 5 yrs since you replaced the impeller it may be getting hot also after about 5 mins running put your hand on the head it should get hot enough you want to pull your hand away but dont have to for a slow count of six. You should replace the impeller every other year at least wether you use the motor or not.

It has never been hard to start, plugs and wires are new, carbs have been rebuilt and are clean, fuel is new, pump is new.. I have not done anything with the impeller this year although this has been a problem since the day after I rebuilt carbs/impeller/etc etc.. Its not a hard starting issue.. Will start every time with choke up, it just does not want to idle in neutral and I have to quickly get it into gear.. Again if she is warmed up just ran across the lake she will idle fine but if I shut her off and she cools at all she will not idle with the choke off in neutral.

 

[racerone]

You do not need to loosen the nut.---The nut is only there to put tension on the spring.-----Turn the screw to adjust idle speed.