starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

[jbjennings]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

One more pic if it helps.

 

[cc67]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

That looks pretty good. I'm going to do my Johnson the same way, I just can't decide where to put the starter button.

 

[cc67]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

I mounted my solenoid and starter button this afternoon. I think it looks pretty clean. Here is a picture of the button

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I drilled and taped this bracket with 1/4x20 nc bolts

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Here is a picture of the starter buuton from the inside

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I still have to wire it but it should be easy.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

JB, just a couple suggestions -

The automotive solenoid that you are using is grounded via the baseplate. That is why the marine wiring scenario doesn't work with it. Outboard solenoids are grounded via one of the small posts on the solenoid. I recommend the Mercury solenoid for your application because, as you mentioned, it is much smaller than either an OMC solenoid or a typical automotive solenoid.

I have tried the spring loaded push buttons like the one you are using. Most of them will corrode very quickly so you may wish to keep an eye out for something else. Take a look at how CC67 mounted his - where he has it is the stock location for a kill switch in the 50s Bigtwins, The switch that he is using (has a rubber cover) is also a stock kill switch but it should work quite well as a starter switch.

 

[cc67]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

The start\ kill switch is for a Ford 2000-4000 series something or other tractor. That's why it has the all weather rubber cover. Bought it at the local farm and home store $9.99.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

CC67,
That looks excellent. I like everything about it. If my engine had a belly pan I would have put my starter button exactly where you did. Your motor will be much quieter than mine since it has a belly pan and is sealed. I actually really like your motor and if I come across one for a good deal I'd have to get it.
Nice work, like you I like a nice clean look.

Thanks for the advice Jay, I will keep a lookout for a better switch. I'm happy with my setup but if I ever do it again, I'll definitely look at the mercury solenoid. I just didn't know what year/model/etc. merc. solenoid to look at. Plus, the ford solenoid was right down the road so it was easy.
Later,
JBJennings

 

[dombarb]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

JBJ
What is the color and source of the Polychromatic blue paint you used on the 25hp rude? is it a automotive product? Does anyone have a part number and price for the smaller Mercury solinoid? Finally anybody have any thoughts were I might find the 5 pin connector used on a 1958 18 hp electric,(i will try to post a pictre a frustrating experience) thanks Dom

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

I don't know the part number for the Merc solenoids and actually bought two of them at my OMC/BRP dealer. I was installing them in a pair of 1958 Bigtwins and the owner of the business recommended the Merc parts. I think there is one unit that fits most, if not all, of the current Mercury engines.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

Nice work JBJ and CC. Didn't realize the earlier Big Twins didn't have a belly pan...some good/creative engineering on both motors. The previous owner of my Big Twin wired my switch/button into the belly pan on the starboard side, slightly behind the starter. Still haven't had time to shoot a pix, sorry...been busy wiring accessories on the boat and getting the battery in. On mine the solenoid (no idea what type it is) mounts inside the belly pan right below the starter...just enough interference that I can't mount the silencer that encloses the carb, oh well.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

JBJ
What is the color and source of the Polychromatic blue paint you used on the 25hp rude? is it a automotive product? Does anyone have a part number and price for the smaller Mercury solinoid? Finally anybody have any thoughts were I might find the 5 pin connector used on a 1958 18 hp electric,(i will try to post a pictre a frustrating experience) thanks Dom

Dom, I also have a '58 J18 electric that I need the female connector for. I have been passively looking but to no avail.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

I don't know if this rates a new thread but just a thought on OEM wiring harnesses for these motors - I have found it to be very hard to find one in usable condition. I bought one on EBay and sent it back to the seller because the casing and wire insulation were so rotted that the piece was completely unusable. During other searches for a used wiring harness, questioning the seller before purchase/shipping revealed pretty much the same thing.

In the end, I just ended up making my own and running the wiring up through the air inlet on the bottom of the lower cowl on my 1958 Bigtwins.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

SUCCESS!!!!!!
I have FINALLY Got my '54 bigtwin like I want it!!!!!!
I've been too embarrassed to say it wasn't running after all my troubles, but I've finally got it running right, and boy is it RIGHT!!!! The old girl idles smooth as silk and accelerates/decelerates smoothly and runs wide open GREAT. It really feels like a new motor. I can barely bump the starter and it roars to life.
THE PROBLEM:
I had GREMLINS!!!! NO JOKE! Some kind of "gremlin" bugs had climbed in my carb throat and layed some type of larval eggs or whatever. This happened in the day or so I had it apart to do the starter stuff because I had cleaned the carb just a few days ago. WHen I got it back together Friday night after the starter job, I tried it on Sat. with my son and it went about 30 yards and pooted out on me! I was humiliated in front of my own son!!! I tried cleaning the carb twice and redid the ignition system several times until it would shock me on both plugs with the flywheel turned by hand and the flywheel bolt not on, just the flywheel resting on the key and turning it by hand. I finally tried squirting a little seafoam in the cylinders and it fired. then used only the carb and nogo---- looked at the plugs and they were dry---this was after TWO carb cleanings and I KNEW it was clean. My last idea was that the reeds were broken but it hadn't backfired lately and I could see most of 'em and they were good so I took the intake off thinking they would be fine. that's when I found about 3 larva the size of a tylenol pill blocking 3 different reeds open!!!!! WEIRDEST thing I've ever seen.
But I was pleased I solved the problem. Took it to the lake today and it was a really nice ride. I was redeemed and even got to let my boy touch the electric starter button and it immediately started up. He was all smiles and I was too! I won't say how many hours I have in this thing but let's just say I worked two jobs this week.......But revenge is sweet and she's really purring like I had always hoped. Thanks for all your help guys.

DOm,
I had the paint mixed at an auto paint shop. It was o.k. but not perfectly original. I would really suggest nymarine.com. I know Peter's stuff is high but you'll almost guaranteed be spending just as much going back for paint more than once and still not being totally pleased with the color. He's a reliable person, too. I like dealing with him. I've bought 2 colors from him and they were both nice.

Thanks again,
JBJ

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

That's great, JB! Get someone to take some pics of you crusin in the boat with the Bigtwin!

I'm chuckling about the bugs - we do have some "critters" in looooooooooooziana, huh?

 

[dombarb]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

JBJ, Steve and Jay
Thanks for the feedback and paint reccomendations.I will be very careful in buying old electrical harnesses and I didn't even consider asking about the condition which is so critical... thanks to all for you help. Dom

 

[wbeaton]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

Great to hear, JBJ. Post some running pics.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

Just curious JBJ, where did you find the instructions on wiring up the Ford solenoid?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

BoatBouy,
I don't think he wants the credit but I'll tell you he's on the forum and his intials rhyme with F-R. PM me and I'll give you some instructions if you can't understand the ones I posted earlier in this thread.
Thanks Wayne, I'll post a couple... She's fast, HA HA, but THIRSTY!
JBJ

 

[cowman2010]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

F--R,

Can you send me an electronic copy of the OMC starter/solenoid wiring diagram?

THX

Allan

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

Okay, I know this is an old thread...just wanted to compliment Iboats and the other forum users on the thoroughness of Q&A on this board/forum. I got around to installing a push-button starter and solenoid on my 56 Lark 30 hp today and found just the instructions (I had forgotten about this thread) I was looking for by just searching this forum. One of these days, I'm gonna haul my boat resto project down to JBJ's bayou country and we'll run our OMC Big Twins in the same water. Thanks to all who make this forum what it is...invaluable.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: starter button/wiring diagram for '54 25hp

>>bump>>