1978 900 (90hp-I-6) starting advice

[hipster]

Hi, so I'm trying to see if this motor is ok & its been sitting for 5 yrs (probably outdoors, boat floor & transom hosed) but we need the motor/controls setup. Not sure if starter is shot? disassembled & sanded the armature/brushes ok, reassembled & 12v slowly turns it, tried jumpstart my truck to + post/stud worked better but turned engine very slowly. Had autozone just jump from a new battery on floor & works good with no load. The 2009 exide 1000mca I filled with water a little but can only get it to 8.5 volts. Tried another car battery to know effect! once I get it cranking then I figured I'd compression test, then maybe mess with the carbs/float bowls before trying fuel......

 

[Scott Danforth]

Clean all connections, including the starter to block

 

[Chris1956]

Make sure the ground cable from the starter to the block is clean, tight and good. The starter is mounted in rubber, hence the need for a ground cable.

 

[hipster]

I cleaned the ground connections & charged battery to 13.5v today but solenoid seems shot since it wont send power to other side/starter...so then I moved starter cable to power in side of solenoid while leaving other end at starter disconnected. getting 13.5 at that point so jumped but found I had to use a jumper cable to additionally ground started. At this point still receiving 13.5v so jumped started terminal & starter spins but bendix gear wont lift up! I wish I had another starter to try & a new solenoid! Still havent committed to buying it yet so dont want to spend money on it??