1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

[danray35e]

Got boat and motor for free. Last time engine ran was six years ago. I just finished rebuilding the lower unit. I also just rewired the electrical system. Tried to start it for the first time a few days ago. Turns over very slowly, battery if fully charged. All connections are clean. Just in case they werent I jumpered wires directly to the starter with not change.
I took the starter off and took it apart, and cleaned. It spins great, does not seem to have wear on the bushings, does not sound like it is dragging. reinstalled starter, no difference. tried the pull rope on the flywheel, very hard to pull. Almost knocked my motor stand over. pulled plugs out to see how well it turned. with plugs out it spins quick with starter. quick and easy by hand too. plugs back in hard as hell to turn past tdc with pull rope. It turns easy enough slow by hand on flywheel. Dont know how fast it has to crank to start, but in my opinion its not moving fast enough.
I am including a link to video of it cranking.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_lv7H64lW_xgUTyanBkBgh_VQwy08OdYp-wU8nm6U6c?feat=directlink

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I hope you pre- lubed that engine before trying to start it Looks from the vidio that you are spining into a dry cylinder ,,
you would be best trying to spray a small amount of 50 to 1 unmixed into each cyl . spin it one time with the rope then install the plugs
and try the starter again ~

 

[danray35e]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I hope you pre- lubed that engine before trying to start it Looks from the vidio that you are spining into a dry cylinder ,,
you would be best trying to spray a small amount of 50 to 1 unmixed into each cyl . spin it one time with the rope then install the plugs
and try the starter again ~

I had sprayed some lube in there. when you say 50 to 1 do you mean put 2 cycle oil in there, or do you mean some gas and oil?

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I like using the 2 cycle straight from the jug when doubt of the down-time the engine .
It mixes well with fuel and cleans up well when the engine is running.
I am very curious as to what you have for a compression reading for each cylinder!
Hey,, what happens when you put only one plug in and use the rope ??

 

[danray35e]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I like using the 2 cycle straight from the jug when doubt of the down-time the engine .
It mixes well with fuel and cleans up well when the engine is running.
I am very curious as to what you have for a compression reading for each cylinder!
Hey,, what happens when you put only one plug in and use the rope ??

give me about 5 mins and Ill tell you

 

[danray35e]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I tried putting oil in yesterday and it seemed to actually make it harder to pull. I went out just now and put one plug in and pulled (did on both cylinders) Fly wheel makes it around easy till I get tdc on the cylinder with plug. What did you expect to happen?

 

[danray35e]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

I dont have a compression gauge right now.

 

[OLDIRON]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

Make sure it has the correct plugs. With the correct reach. Beg or borrow a comp gauge. Should be around 100 to 130, but can be less and still run. My 55 turns pretty hard also, but it's near the 125-130 range.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1976 johnson 55hp hard to turn over.

Sounds like you have a blown piston or blown cyl head gasket and a bad starting system.