TOPIC: Water choke issue

Guys, my 63 75hp electramatic has a water choke that I have to move from automatic to manual off after I start and warm it up or it will be hard to start warm. If I flip the lever to choke off it starts fine, but your supposed to leave it on automatic. It's not a big deal, but I was wondering why it don't do as it should. Any ideas?? jim

I think the chokes are hot air, not hot water.

That being said, there is a bi-metalic coil spring inside of the 2" round housing. You can make the spring stronger, to hold the choke on longer. Or, you can make it weaker to let the choke off sooner. As the engine warms up, it makes the spring warmer and it well eventually go limp so no choke is on.

Todd
(1963 starflite)

Thanks for your thoughts jepstr, I had a bit of bad luck with the 63 johnson today. I was going along fine just like always and the next thing I know I look down and the HOT light is on and before I can shut her down she seizes up. I let it set for a minute to cool, but figured the damage was already done so I started up. Water was coming out of the hole on the back so I figured maybe a leaf or piece of plastic or something had got over the water intake. Got home this afternoon and did a compression check and it was what I expected 65 to 75 lbs on the cylinders. Dropped about 10lbs per cylinder. Pulled the LU and found the culprit... a broken copper pipe going to the water pump. I'm getting ready to do a transplant from my other boat(identical motors) to finish out the season. I sure hate it happened. That has been a real dependable engine for many decades. Sorry for writing a novel about it..jim

Wow, sorry to hear that. It can happen so fast. I've been having problems with weeds collecting on my 1941 Speedifour and blocking the intake. My method of testing for heat is to splash water on the cylinder heads. If it sizzles off, time to stop and clear the weeds.

Good luck with you other motor. Those are great reliable motors.

When I got mine, the idiot who had it made it a long shaft, but did not extend the coolant tubes. I discovered that by having it overheat. It has been fine since. Mine has a warning horn too.

I have a complete 40 hp Evinrude shortblock powerhead that would bolt right up for you if you want to breathe some life back into your back-up motor... It has about 95 psi in both cylinders. Let me know if interested...
- Scott

messed up post,sorry

Thanks Scott,but I have a v-4 75hp. If you have a good one,I might be interested later. jim

Doh! Sorry - I've had Big Twins on the brain of late. Picked up three of them over the weekend... Saw your hotwater choke issue and immediately thought of the twin first...