recoil starter problems

[jpatterson12]

I have a '67 Johnson 6HP Seahorse. The recoil spring is shot, so I aquired a new (used) one off E-Bay. The seller had nearly 100% feedback, and said the spring was working when he tested motor compression. I took down the old assembly, inserted the new spring, and tightened everything back up. Still no good. Is there a trick to installing a new spring? It can only go in one way vertically, and I've tried inserting the right-angle "keeper" end of the spring from both sides of the cut-away retainer pin. It seems to me that there ought to be a cutout, a groove, or a hole to put the bottom end, the other right angle end of the spring into, to stop the spring from spinning when you pull the rope, and create the tension needed to rewind the rope back in. Where am I going wrong?

 

[Doh]

Re: recoil starter problems

I am not too sure about 67 Johnson recoils. But recoils are pretty much all the same. Spring, Spool, Housing and Dogs.

The recoils spring will have a J hook bent into it on the outside, and the oppisite J hook on the inside.

The housing will have a slot or a pin, on the outside of the spring housing. Determine which way the spring has to wind the spool to bring the rope back in, after being pulled off the spool. Place the outside J hook, (the appropiate way) on the outside slot/pin. Spool the spring around and around the housing, until the whole spring is inside the housing.

Bend the iner spring until the Inside J hook lines put with the spools Pin/Slot. Slide the spool onto the Housing pin.

Wind the spool pit until it stops because the spring has reached it's max. Back the spool off 1/4-a full turn from the rope guide hole. Put the locked rope from the spool or the rope through the guide hole and lock it on the spool. Let the rope wind in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRdQ-Di4sts

 

[samo_ott]

Re: recoil starter problems

That's the wrong type of starter. The 6hp's starter is not on top it is the spool in front ans spins up to engage the flywheel, like an electric starter. Sorry, I cant help though as I have never worked on one of those modern starters...

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: recoil starter problems

Doooooh. Wrong kind of recoil starter. They are not all the same.

Here's the instructions:
(Manual Starter Cord Installation)
(This pertains to the vertical type of Manual Starters such as the 9.5hp and later 6/8hp models etc)
(J. Reeves)

1 - Have a pair of vice grips handy set so that they will grab the top of the starter spindle tightly but will not damage it.

2 - Using a large screwdriver inserted into the top of the starter spindle, wind the starter in a counter clockwise direction 12 to 14 turns, stopping so that the cord locking slot is facing the away from the engine.

3 - Lock the spindle in that position with the vice grips, letting the vice grips lay against the flywheel.

4 - Insert the cord as needed and make sure it is retained properly at that slot.

5 - Feed the cord out the starter cord hole at the front of the engine and attach the handle.

6 - Grip the cord tightly so that the spindle cannot spin around rapidly, then release the vice grips.

7 - Allow the cord to be withdrawn slowly around the spindle.

Diagram:

 

[Doh]

Re: recoil starter problems

My Bad Should have read 6hp. I thought 67 had all top mount pull cords.

Great Exploded Veiw.

I even have a 76 6hp Johnson Sea Horse.

 

[F_R]

Re: recoil starter problems

Nice try doh, but the recoil you are describing and the 6hp starter in question are worlds apart.

jp, your spring is a coil within a coil. Both should have a hook at their bottom end. The hook on the inner coil engages a slot in the spring retainer (the metal rod that goes down through the center of the spool). Once you have the spring inside the spool and that hook in the slot in the spring retainer, stretch the outer coil downward and engage its hook in the slot in the lower bearing plate (make sure the bushing is in there). Then install the screws in the upper bearing plate, holding it all together.

Then wind it 16 1/2 turns counter clockwise and stick the handles of a pair of pliers under the pinion, which will hold it up in engagement with the flywheel, keeping it from unwinding. Now install the rope at the top of the spool, and out through the cowl, and put the handle on. Then hang onto it and take the pliers out, letting it rewind.

Some use a knot at the top of the spool, some use a clever way of threading it against itself. If the latter, I hope you studied it carefully before removing the rope. Oh, I forgot to mention, remove the rope before starting all this procedure.

 

[jpatterson12]

Re: recoil starter problems

Man, you guys are awesome! Two things, though. First, Supreme Mariner mentioned a bushing in the lower bearing plate. There was none when I disassembled. Do I need to source one from my local marina? Also mentioned was using a pair of pliers to lift the pinion against the flywheel to keep the spring from unwinding. When I turn the rod counterclockwise with a screwdriver, the pinion rises up and engages the flywheel on its own.
Thanks a ton for all your help. Through these pages, and with a little advice from my local guys, I have fitted a new fuel pump, put in a carb kit(the right way the first time. Couldn't believe it.), and will tackle the recoil problem this afternoon. Couldn't have done it without you Old Salts. I really appreciate it.