1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

[1964SeaKing]

So i am not a mechanic by any means... i don't know really anything about engines at all... and what i have found out about my old boat has been user error, but i believe this problem is bigger then something im doing.

I have a 1964 Sea King with 40hp OB motor that i believe was made by evinrude, but i am not sure... that is having problems starting...

i went to start it before taking it out and it cranked up, but quickly died... i went to start again and it was acting like it was not in neutral... so i played with the shifter and it was very very stuck.... after a little playing with it, and i would say aggressive shifting i got it to move into forward and then again into reverse and then back to neutral... but problem is... for some reason it seems like the engine does not know it is in neutral and it is not starting... acting like its not in N and the electric start is just buzzing and nothing is engaging...

any help for me? please tell me i did not blow the clutch or anything too bad... what do you think?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

Buzzing indicates a bad battery, a good but discharged battery, OR (and usually) loose or tight but dirty cable/wire terminal ends.

First step... make sure you have a good fully charged battery.

Second step... remove the cable/wire terminals from whatever they're attached to and clean those terminals and whatever component they're attached to thoroughly, then tighten them securely with a wrench or pliers... not your fingers if wing nuts are encountered.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

If your Sea King truly is a 1964, it is not an OMC (Evinrude). OMC's Gale division did make them through 1963, but after that Sea Kings were made by Chrysler/Force. Many small 1964-up air cooled Sea Kings were also made by Eska.

A model number will tell the truth.

EDIT: Is that your motor's picture in your posting? That is an OMC (Gale). Yes, very related to Evinrude. But not a 1964.

 

[ronboonville]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

disconnect the shift cable at the motor and see if it moves better. make sure throttle is backed off. I just replaced all my cables and cleaned all terminals and it really makes a difference. My gale 35 looks like your's except it says gale.

 

[1964SeaKing]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

Buzzing indicates a bad battery, a good but discharged battery, OR (and usually) loose or tight but dirty cable/wire terminal ends.

First step... make sure you have a good fully charged battery.

Second step... remove the cable/wire terminals from whatever they're attached to and clean those terminals and whatever component they're attached to thoroughly, then tighten them securely with a wrench or pliers... not your fingers if wing nuts are encountered.

Batt is rather new, but i took it out... cleaned all of the terminals, and charged it up anyway...

this did not help.... so i took the cables off as suggested by another and this did not help.

the buzzing sound is coming from (again non mechanic here) tube shaped... possibly started that has teeth on the top that is spinning...

Anymore suggestions?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

So the starter is spinning but the gear isn't popping up to engage the flywheel? That means one of two things. 1. The gear is stuck (unlikely). Hold the nut on top from turning and see if you can rotate the gear to walk it up to the flywheel. If you can, it is fine. 2. The starter is weak. That goes back to the battery and cables. Are you SURE they are ok? If it isn't the battery or cables, it more than likely is a bad starter.

 

[1964SeaKing]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

So the starter is spinning but the gear isn't popping up to engage the flywheel? That means one of two things. 1. The gear is stuck (unlikely). Hold the nut on top from turning and see if you can rotate the gear to walk it up to the flywheel. If you can, it is fine. 2. The starter is weak. That goes back to the battery and cables. Are you SURE they are ok? If it isn't the battery or cables, it more than likely is a bad starter.

I feel like we are getting very close on this one...

Yes! the gear is spinning freely, but not popping up to engage the flywheel. The buzzing sound i am talking about is the gear spinning, but not going up to engage.

Should i hold with pliers and rotate the gear up with pliers as well... or should this all be done freehand?

Battery was fully charged this morning, and cables were all cleaned in the same process. They are old, but working properly.

 

[1964SeaKing]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

So the starter is spinning but the gear isn't popping up to engage the flywheel? That means one of two things. 1. The gear is stuck (unlikely). Hold the nut on top from turning and see if you can rotate the gear to walk it up to the flywheel. If you can, it is fine. 2. The starter is weak. That goes back to the battery and cables. Are you SURE they are ok? If it isn't the battery or cables, it more than likely is a bad starter.

That was it! stuck gear!

held with needle nose pliers and a little finger strength on the gear... and it popped and went right up. started right up....

now i guess... can i ask... can i spray it with WD40 to keep this from sticking again? or leave it alone?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1964 Sea King with 40hp outboard Sea King motor starting problems

WD-40 will be ok. No grease or heavy oil.