Clinton outboard

I have been given a 5hp 2 stroke aircooled clinton outboard.
I managed to get it started today,but it would only run very eratically using the choke.I managed to get the engine warmed up,but unless I ran it at full throttle I had to use the choke,and it ran badly
when I first connected the petrol pipe the connection leaked slightly,and the block immediatly after the connector,which I think is the pump,leaked.I managed to tighten the four screws in it,and the leak stopped.
The ignition seems ok,I managed to start it 4 or 5 times.
I suspect it is probably a gasket,or the float in the bowl needs setting.No doubt a strip down of the carb will help.
With it having no neutral it is difficult to tune it at full revs because it empties my test tank of water.It has 360% steering more or less.The only restriction being the petrol pipe.
Has anybody had experience of this outboard,any ideas?

"V"

 

If you have to choke it to keep it going, it's running lean and the carb likely needs a cleaning and possibly rebuild.

 

Hello again PAR,
I suspected it would need a carb stripdown,like you say.
I think somone has had a fiddle with it.They look quite a simple engine to work on.
The power at full revs with no choke surprised me,and I quite like the idea of the broad leg
acting as a rudder.

 

The Clinton outboard ? Runs on promises ?

 

Sounds like all Clintons run on promises,Haha.
I'll just get it up and running and pass it on.It will keep me occupied.
My back yard is like an outboard workshop,I've got 7 outboards that are up and running,keep saying I will have a clearout that never happens.