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Johnson 1979 55HP Carburettor Needle Clips Were Missing!

jasondainter

jasondainter

Regular Contributor
Hi All.

I took my carburettors (2 of them in my Johnson 55hp 1979, model 55EL80C).

I wondered if some of your more experienced folks could kindly help me to learn a bit more about some questions I had.

1) From the pic of the old float (below) it seems like this was misaligned to me. I fixed it now so that the float sits parallel to the bottom. What might that misalignment have resulted in on the water?

2) What would 2 missing needle clips (in both carbs) cause to happen on the water? The boat appears to have been driven like this

3) Im worried about the fact these clips appear to have come loose in both cases. Is there any pro trick to ensuring that doesnt happen again?

4) Just to be sure, the way I have now fitted this (with clip!) is correct? Even though the clip specifically isn't shown in the parts manual?




Old float alignment before I removed it re: question 1.

gzr2zf6.jpg
 
So I did some more googling and found this:

ugY6X8q.png


So now I'm even more confused. According to this some of the older models (could mine be one of those?) didnt have those clips. So this is making me think that clip is less critical than I thought.

Also, if some early carbs did not have clips, how did that needle move up and down? I dont understand how the float would even function without that clip.
 
Last edited:
In the second pic your float needs to be parallel to the carb body. Then needle valve works the exact same way with or without the clip. The carb bowl empties then the float drops and the needle falls allowing more fuel in. The clip was added because when the needle sticks the weight of the float will help pull the needle down. The needle gets pushed off the seat by fuel pressure the clip just helps.
 
Wow thank you. You guys are so knowledgable here I really appreciate the speedy replies.

on the parts site i use it shows part 27 now includes the clip
Click to expand...

@Scalhound, out of curiosity which site are you using? Mine is the original Johnson manual "preliminary edition" dated 1979, so its likely your source is a bit more updated. Would be curious to know in case future things like this come up!

In the second pic your float needs to be parallel to the carb body.
Click to expand...

@Flyingscott, thanks yes actually that pic there was just to show you the old alignment when I took the float off as it seemed slightly out as you point out. I fixed that so its parallel now, but still a bit curious would that level of angle problem had any major impact on the running of the boat do you think?

The carb bowl empties then the float drops and the needle falls allowing more fuel in. The clip was added because when the needle sticks the weight of the float will help pull the needle down. The needle gets pushed off the seat by fuel pressure the clip just helps.
Click to expand...

@Flyingscott thank you for that very clear explanation, that makes so much more sense now. Good to know these carbs now have clips as a backup in case of needle sticking then!
 
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