1979 Johnson 55hp Idle stop adjustment question

[samuelh1987]

Another question regarding a newly acquired 1979 Johnson 55hp - 2 cylinder motor. I decided to perform a link and sync on the motor today and can not get the idle adjustment to contact the stop. I have tried every combination of throttle cable and trunnion nut adjustment possible. With the throttle cable as tight as possible it still lacks about a half inch of contacting the stop. Is it time for a new throttle cable perhaps? It will contact the stop and stay there if you manually push the armature to contact the stop. As soon as you advance the throttle and go back to neutral it will rest a half inch from the stop.

 

[Pappy]

Loosen the timer base wires from the block as well as the charge coil wires. Free them completely and see if that works. Very often these anchor points have either been tampered with by this time or the wires are so stiff with age that they will not allow the timer base to return.
Also, disconnect the timer base linkage from the advance arm at the ball link and see how stiff the timer base is to operate. May need to remove the flywheel and clean and lube the assy. all the small screws get loctite if this is needed.
Good luck as you have one of the few remaining 1979 55hp engines in running condition. Am also betting that you can get the timer base to return as the book states but when you go to set the idle in the water to, lets say, 800rpm in gear you will no longer be touching the idle stop screw on the pad on the block.

 

[samuelh1987]

Thank you once again!