'78, 55HP won't idle

[double-eh]

Couple of basic questions first. It's a 55875.

What should the spark plug be gaped to? What is a decent base idle and can you put it in gear and troll around at that RPM (I presume 900-1000ish)?

My motor won't idle. I can start it and it will stay running some 1500 RPM with choke on, but if I turn the choke off, it dies unless I throttle up to some 2500+. If I try to drop the rev, it dies. I just cleaned the carb out with a can of carb clean and clean rag. Fresh gas, new primer bulb, clean fuel filter.

What do I do??

 

[Boobie]

Check the compression on it.

 

[faztbullet]

You cannot clean carbs by spraying carb cleaner thru it and using the old gaskets. You need to disassemble/clean/ blow out with compressed air and install new carb kit. Also check compression as thesehad high ring pistons also and they didn't idle good new!!!

 

[double-eh]

Compression test shows 150 PSI on both.

Disassembled completely, blown out with air, but no carb kit (yet)

New plugs going in within the next few days and we will see what happens. I'll report back.

If I'm getting a carb kit, what carb type or model am I after? Does the kit come with parts for two or do I have to purchase two kits?

Still wondering if anyone can confirm plug gap, thanks!

 

[faztbullet]

You will need two kits and use QL77Jc4at .030