1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

[dthrckt]

I've got a '57 35 hp evinrude. recoil start works fine, motor runs well.

I've found a used starter for ~$45. Sounds like a good price, if it works, as the seller claims. First time they told me the part # was auto-lite MDO4003M 12V, second time they said auto-lite MDO4002M 12V, which I think is the part I need...

Anyway, question is, what other parts do I need to electric start this motor and is the work basically 'bolt on' or more involved? I already maintain a trolling motor battery so I don't care about a generator.

Also, I'm wondering if I will I be able to completely retain the recoil start, if this conversion is a good idea at all, and if there's an easy way to test the starter w/o a complete install (ie, if it spins under 12V will it likely work under load?).

thanks!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

fly wheel with the teeth on it, starter bracket, solenoid, battery, battery cables, wiring harness, ignition switch. i may have missed something.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

I've got a '57 35 hp evinrude. recoil start works fine, motor runs well.

I've found a used starter for ~$45. Sounds like a good price, if it works, as the seller claims. First time they told me the part # was auto-lite MDO4003M 12V, second time they said auto-lite MDO4002M 12V, which I think is the part I need...

Anyway, question is, what other parts do I need to electric start this motor and is the work basically 'bolt on' or more involved? I already maintain a trolling motor battery so I don't care about a generator.

Also, I'm wondering if I will I be able to completely retain the recoil start, if this conversion is a good idea at all, and if there's an easy way to test the starter w/o a complete install (ie, if it spins under 12V will it likely work under load?).

thanks!!!

yep, it's easier conversion for adding a push button start rather than remote. Also, adding the generator adds effort too. My opinion, just use a battery charger.

Also, you keep the rope start.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

"solenoid" - nice if it is the exact part, but has to at least be a marine one, right?

"fly wheel with the teeth on it" and that's what goes on the starter's shaft?

"starter bracket" thought that was permanently part of the starter

"ignition switch" generic switch would be ok, right? (rated for sufficient current..)

thanks for the replies - this site...and the people that share their knowledge to help others out are incredible!

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

"solenoid" - nice if it is the exact part, but has to at least be a marine one, right?

"fly wheel with the teeth on it" and that's what goes on the starter's shaft?

"starter bracket" thought that was permanently part of the starter

"ignition switch" generic switch would be ok, right? (rated for sufficient current..)

thanks for the replies - this site...and the people that share their knowledge to help others out are incredible!

the solenoid needs to be the correct one so yes marine. the factory electric starts had a safety on the throttle linkage that your's more than likely will not have. It is needed for proper operation of the solenoid, but can be bypassed.

Not the gear on the starter, but on the flywheel. the gears on the starter will mesh with it. If you flywheel does not have the gears then you need a different one.

the starter bracket was an add on for those motors that had starters they were not on all motors

A heavy push button switch is all you need as it will only activate the solenoid. You will need to wire a kill switch also.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

first, i probably should have posted to electrics, maybe a mod will move?

anyway, I'm finally getting this stuff together.

I've got two parts motors with electric starters (a '58 and '59).

I've got the starter bracket and the recoil starter (since it looks unused on the '59) stripped and ready for paint (duplicolor teal metallic is SO close to '57 blue, unfortunately, I think they only make it in small aerosol cans).

My flywheel has teeth and my motor has a crankcase vacuum cut-out switch but I can't spot a throttle linkage safety switch on the electric starts, so I'm hoping to get some clarification on that. Not sure what it does so I'm not sure where to look.

I'm about ready to order the solenoid from iboats.

The electric start motors have a different pan that includes a jack w/ ~7 male plugs in it. I don't have a harness that plugs into that jack. I have fabricated similar items w/ devcon/release agent and that might be worthwhile (especially if I ever run across a generator).

What I need to decide is how to hook all this up and where to mount it. This boat will end up side console or stick steering but will be used w/ the tiller for the remainder of the season.

I guess my choices are, tap three holes in the spot the jack is in my current pan, put a sealed push button switch in one, a power jack in the other, a kill switch in the third and then mount the solenoid inside the cowl.

Or take the pan from a parts motor, paint it, make the connector, and mount the start/kill switches and solenoid in a box on the back seat or transom for later extension to the console/middle.

The latter is 'cooler' and slightly more convenient, but I prefer reliability over all else and that first option seems like it might be...

Just sort of documenting this for other newbies like me, but would appreciate input on the mounting or a description of the throttle linkage safety.

Thanks!

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

You also need an electric choke setup if you're going to start it remotely. The electric start also has a mercury switch on the throttle to keep the starter solenoid from working if the throttle is advanced too far.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

glad you mentioned the choke cuz i wasn't factoring that in. i guess i'll take both of them off and see which one is in better shape.

i think the mercury switch is right next to the gear that transfers the motion of the control/tiller to a linkage, right? can't figure out what else that little dome would be (shaped like a little bullet).

Mine has got one but could use the rewire. i'd post the pics of it that i just took but my card reader isn't working

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

Sounds like you are ready to roll...there's a post on this forum, maybe the mods can post a link, detailing how to install the solenoid and push-buttom starter switch in the belly pan of your Big Twin. I have two set up this way and I use both with remote steering. I start both while back at the transom, let them settle in/run, move to the pilot's chair and Bob's Your Uncle. Cost me about $25 for the solenoid and switch on each one. You can leave the recoil on or remove it...I have the best luck rope starting those old 35's using the notch in the flywheel and a stout rope...the larger flywheel gives you more spinning leverage...the recoil start will kill your shoulder/arm, even if the compression release is working. When you test the starter, make sure all connections are clean and tight. Don't run the starter until you smoke it. If the motor's in good shape/tune the starter won't have to turn it long before it fires off and runs.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

thought i'd be done painting today but there was a bit of a distraction - my dogs got a skunk last night

anyway, i painted the bracket from the '58 because the '59 lark, although very similar, has (at least) one different mounting hole. the recoil from the lark is identical.

i think it may even have a solenoid in the pan, if that's possible, but it is tough to see. tomorrow I'm just going to pressure wash the old piece of junk. it had mice living in it, and wasps that were still in it when I got it home.

i like the idea of everything mounted in the motor. i'll have to search for those instructions. i sure did a lot of searching, on this and just about everything else about these motors, so i'm surprised I didn't find it before.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

got everything mounted inside the cowl, I'll post some pictures at some point.

only thing left to do is connect the power - any ideas on that?

I have several automotive 12 volt cigarette jacks/plugs but I bet they'd corrode so fast they wouldn't last the season...

 

[dthrckt]

please help! Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

please help! Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

Finally got everything mounted/wired.

First test made the bendix spin up and engage the flywheel but only turned it a few inches. Tried applying a well charged automotive jump starter directly to starter to see if I wasn't getting enough current. That made it turn just a bit farther.

Tried pulling the recoil just to make sure it would turn over. That worked but then I realized the recoil rotates the flywheel in the opposite direction.

At first I thought I might have reversed polarity but then I realized the bendix can only spin in one direction as it engages and that direction rotates the flywheel counter clockwise (from above).

The motor I took the starter and bracket from (a '58 big twin) is seized but the recoil turns the same direction. The starter looks almost new. I have another starter (from a 59 bigtwin) that is in rough shape. It's bendix turns in the same direction.

I am totally clueless. There must be something simple I'm overlooking. Even if the motor could run in either direction, wouldn't it end up reversing the rotation of the drive shaft?!

please help!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: please help! Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

Re: please help! Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

Clean all the connections and hook it up to a known-good, charged 12V auto/marine battery. If the starter won't spin the flywheel, stop and pull the plugs...if it will turn it over w/out plugs the starter is weak. When you get a stout starter it will crank that baby with no problem.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

problem solved - I guess I didn't understand how the bendix works - it rotates up but the armature spins in the other direction, which rotates the flywheel clockwise, just like the recoil.

I think the starter's weak, since I just tried using the battery that start's my truck just fine. I'm surprised, it looks brand new.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1957 35 hp evinrude - convert to electric start

You can sometimes fix a weak starter. Take it apart carefully and sand all the connections, armature, windings, etc. where are the power flows. it is easy and I have had good results doing this to different starters.