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Evinrude low idle knob

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oldmckenzie

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I have a '57 Evinrude 10Hp. The low idle knob got lost and Marine Engine set me up with a new one. The question is; there is a timing mark on the knob but no mark on the shaft or motor, does anyone know where/how I should time the knob?
 
In my time span of 30+ years or so, I must have worked on a thousand of those models... however, I have no idea of what you speak.

Low Idle Knob?..... Are you speaking of the knob that snaps over the adjustable Slow Speed Needle Valve?
 
If you mean the slow speed mixture knob (5), it is held onto the slow speed mixture needle valve by a tapered screw (4). First adjust the needle valve for best idle. Then install the knob so mid-scale is up, and tighten the tapered screw to hold it on. The numbers on the knob are meaningless. The adjustment of the needle valve is the only thing that really matters.
 

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Sorry, I did mean the slow speed needle adjustment knob. Am I correct in setting the needle then backing out 1 1/2 turns to start with?
 
That is correct. It is also only a rough beginning point to get it running. Once running, it needs to be fine tuned for best idle--preferably on a boat, on the lake.
 
fdrgator said:
That is correct. It is also only a rough beginning point to get it running. Once running, it needs to be fine tuned for best idle--preferably on a boat, on the lake.
Click to expand...

Very preferably. New question same motor; when running the motor with the throttle arm I get a little more high end than with the cables hooked up. I've tried to tweak the cable stops on the levers with no good result, is there something I haven't seen?
 
(Carburetor Adjustment - Single S/S Adjustable Needle Valve)
(J. Reeves)

Initial setting is: Slow speed = seat gently, then open 1-1/2 turns.

Start engine and set the rpms to where it just stays running. In segments of 1/8 turns, start to turn the S/S needle valve in. Wait a few seconds for the engine to respond. As you turn the valve in, the rpms will increase. Lower the rpms again to where the engine will just stay running.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the engine wants to die out or it will spit back (sounds like a mild backfire). At that point, back out the valve 1/4 turn. Within that 1/4 turn, you'll find the smoothest slow speed setting.

When you have finished the above adjustment, you will have no reason to move them again unless the carburetor fouls/gums up from sitting, in which case you would be required to remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetor anyway.
 
Hard to say without an on-site examination. I guess you have the old cables without an adjustable nut? It's simple to adjust if you have it. Other things that can go wrong are the cable ends slipping on the cable core wire, cables that have broken and somebody repaired them, cables with too many bends or not anchored, ---and other things. The important thing to remember is always adjust the controls to the motor, never adjust the motor to the controls.
 
Thanks for both of those responses, the slow speed adjustment I can do on the aluminum boat the cables will need to wait till my wife's 1952 Old Town runabout is repaired. (no she didn't hit the dock) The stem cracked right along the cut water, hoping to get her back in the water before the end of July.
 
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