Hi Bob W — also happens to be my name. FWIW, friends and I in Michigan are all running 32:1 in all of our Johnsons and Evinrudes; 1956 Lark and Javelin 30hp, 1958 Lark 35hp, various smaller motors from 1956-58, Using TCW-3 spec oil. Less smoke and no lube-related problems in hundreds of hours at this ratio, and less oil in the lake too, of course.

I need help with a different issue. My 1958 7-1/2 Johnson, AD-12, has been hard to start for a couple of seasons, and began stalling when running at about shifting speed. It would stop suddenly, no signs of being rich or lean, no one-cylinder miss, just sudden death. And a rowboat ride home. I had rebuilt the carb (including a new float) when I got the motor a few years ago and it ran well until it started stranding me last year. Now it’s unusable.

I went through the carb again, everything looks as clean and beautiful as it did before. The sediment bowl and fuel bowl fill normally, inlet needle does not leak. But twenty pulls later, with choke on and throttle at start setting — she never popped once, and the plugs are completely dry. I took reed plate off, all looks good to me; but it’s as if fuel is not being drawn from bowl when cranking. But the motor runs fine, from idle to full throttle, when it does run. I’, looking through the carb again, hoping to find some clogged passage or something, but all looks great. Any ideas? I have started it with starting fluid a few times, after which it runs fine until it decides I need more rowing exercise. Argh.

Any advice appreciated,

Bob / Duralark