1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

[rernst]

I have a 40 hp 1960 Evinrude Lark II that has the electrical connector on the starboard side with 7 connections. 2 small, then one large, then 2 and 2 more small. Sort of like this:

. .
* <----- this should be centered and is large post
. .
. .

I have the Seloc manual for the engine, but I can't find a listing that shows the connections on this. And I don't currently have the original wiring harness to check either. From looking at the engine, it looks like the large one is for the starter and normally comes from the solenoid to start the engine.

This engine has no generator, but I assume one or two of the connectors would be used if it did have one.

My understanding of these engines is that two connectors go to the coils/points and are used to kill the engine when they're connected together.

What I want to do is rig something up temporarily (I don't know if the engine will even run, so don't want to invest in more than necessary to try it out) to test it.

Thoughts were to connect an off/on "kill" switch to the connections for the coil/points that are used for this (or just choke it to kill). And connect with heavy duty battery disconnect switch directly to the starter itself for starting.

BTW, these don't have recoil starters, and while they seem to have the "pop off" valves (if that's the word for 'em), to allow hand/pull starting with a rope, they do not have the gadget that opens 'em when cranking as my old '58 had, so it would seem the best bet would be to just use the starter itself (also easier on my back...

Thanks for any help identifying what the actual pins go to on the engine.

Rich

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

Hi Rick,
Your motor should have a recoil on it. If not, someone has removed it. It will have the bosses for mounting one, in any case. I think I may have a spare kicking around if you need one.
Also, the motor will run just fine with that plug not plugged into anything. Wiring harnesses with solenoid boxes turn up all the time on eBay and such. Woth a shot at the AOMCI site's Webvertiser, too. I have a plug end at the shop, but it has been cut about 3 feet from the plug - no box with it. Not sure if it is a 5 or 7 pin plug...
You should be able to sort out the pins pretty easily by following the wires inside. Use a multimeter set at the conitinuity setting and note where each wire goes to which pin. You'll have the choke circuit, kill circuit, charge circuit (should be closed off if you don't have a generator), and main positive feed (large pin). Not much else in there...

- Scott

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

The screw that holds the electical plug into the socket is the ground cable.
As said, you don't have to hook anything up. Just choke it and crank it and it will run as is.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

you have a pm.

 

[rernst]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

Hi Rick,
Your motor should have a recoil on it. If not, someone has removed it. It will have the bosses for mounting one, in any case. I think I may have a spare kicking around if you need one.
Also, the motor will run just fine with that plug not plugged into anything. Wiring harnesses with solenoid boxes turn up all the time on eBay and such. Woth a shot at the AOMCI site's Webvertiser, too. I have a plug end at the shop, but it has been cut about 3 feet from the plug - no box with it. Not sure if it is a 5 or 7 pin plug...
You should be able to sort out the pins pretty easily by following the wires inside. Use a multimeter set at the conitinuity setting and note where each wire goes to which pin. You'll have the choke circuit, kill circuit, charge circuit (should be closed off if you don't have a generator), and main positive feed (large pin). Not much else in there...

The screw that holds the electical plug into the socket is the ground cable.
As said, you don't have to hook anything up. Just choke it and crank it and it will run as is.

- Scott

Thanks, I'm hoping to avoid all that work just to try to start it. And most of the wires disappear under other things, not something obvious. Strange that the connector isn't documented, at least in the Seloc book. (I'm an old hand at car stuff, and usually, all the plugs are documented)

But, are you saying the large connector isn't the starter connection, but is the main power to the engine? I thought that one I did follow since it has a large wire attached, and it went directly to the starter itself.

you have a pm.

What's a pm?

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

The large pin is the positive lead to the starter. The generator wires are blue and yellow and they're usually capped off and tied up in the bottom engine cover. Grounding the ignition will stop the engine, that's what the vacuum kill switch does in the event of a runaway condition. There's two mercury switches on the throttle on the port side. These prevent the engine from being started when the throttle is set too high. You'll have to deal with them too. E-mail me if you want a colour wiring diagram.
With the recoil starter removed the flywheel will be exposed such as in the photo. There would be a ratchet plate attached to the flywheel. The one shown in the photo broke apart and since the ignition inspection hole cover was missing, the broken pieces went down into the ignition. Not good!

 

[rernst]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

GREAT, thanks. Yes, please do send details on wire colors and what they go to, that'll help a lot.

Ok, good, big pin is starter. I can trace the overspeed vacuum switch (I think I know which that is, and if not, can look it up in the Seloc manual), to make a "kill" switch connecting the two points wires or the same wires as at the vacuum switch.

Good to know about the generator as well, as I did see 2, or possibly 3 wires in the bottom near the connector that looked professionally capped off.

Oh, there is no recoil pull starter on this. Actually, I wound up with two, identical, supposedly from same boat in my deal, and neither have the recoil starter assembly. Is it possible they're missing as coming from the factory, or did the Lark II models always have 'em and they both were removed at some time, for unknown reasons (just 'cause they're 48 years old?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

They had recoils when they came from the factory.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

a PM is a private message, if you look at the top of this page, under Welcome Rernst, you will see in blue, private message. it is a way we can communiate privately. i want your email address so i could send you the complete wiring diagram for that motor.

 

[rican69m]

Re: 1960 40 hp Evinrude Lark II engine connector info

looking for a wiring diagram for this engine ,trying to get it started ,if anybody can help ,thanks