1967 Johnson 20HP Pull crank not catching Flywheel

[BROUSSARD2]

Working on the pull crank for a 1967 Johnson 20 HP. It pulls and retracts perfectly, but only catches the flywheel to turn some of the times. Others it just pulls freely and recoils back into the housing. Usually when it catches the flywheel its at the end of my pull. I took the housing back off and it looks like its damaging the end of the pawl. Anyone been through this or have any ideas?

 

[racerone]

Sometimes folks lubricate those wire springs for some reason.----They must be clean and dry.

 

[Chinewalker]

Yep, the wire spring that rides in the slot on the hub needs to have a bit of friction to it to pull the pawl out. Also, pawls have a habit of getting worn down when operators simply yank the cord out from the motor. Proper procedure is to pull slowly until the pawls is engages and THEN give it a rip.

 

[F_R]

Sometimes the link spring and the groove it rides in get polished too smooth just from wear. Do whatever you can to get rid of the shine and don't lubricate it. It depends on friction to grab hold and make the pawl swing out.

 

[BROUSSARD2]

You guys nailed it. Took off the springs, wiped them down as they were really lubricated. Let this dry out a few days and the pawl worked perfectly. Thanks for your help!