70's Chrysler Outboard, Start Manually?

[mike2587]

Hello,

I am by no means an expert when it comes to working on motors but I have done routine maintenance on mine for the last few years without issue. Long story short... I have my boat stored at a house where there is no running water in order to run it and do some carb cleaning and to make sure it will run this season when I put it in the water. The motor is a 45HP from the 70's, I believe 1975. With it not being at a location with water, I brought the motor home with me and have it stored in my garage on a stand that I built since last fall. The motor has electric key start, but that's built onto the boat and would have been a huge pain to disconnect all that as well to bring it home with me. I'm wondering if there is any way to run the motor manually? I've read some posts online and some say it's okay while others say you shouldn't, so any insight would be very helpful. I'd really prefer to run it here at my house and do some spring cleaning on it while also making sure it made it through the winter just fine rather than trying to put it in the water and find out it won't turn over and I have to take it out and bring it all the way back home.

1.) Can I use a pull cord on this and manually start it?

2.) Anything I would need to look out for?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 70's Chrysler Outboard, Start Manually?

You can use a pull cord but it is no fun. If you attach battery cables, then all you need to do to crank the starter is to jump from the positive side of the solenoid to the small terminal with the yellow wire attached.

If it is magneto ignition, it will start and run with no electrical cables attached. If it is battery, points, and coils ignition, then you will need to jump on the engine terminal board from red to blue.

That's it---simple.

To stop magneto ignition jump white to blue. To stop battery ignition disconnect the jumper from red to blue. ---OR, simply put your hand over the carb and choke it to death.

 

[mike2587]

Re: 70's Chrysler Outboard, Start Manually?

Regardless of what type of ignition it is, could I just try a pull cord? Or are you saying I can only use the pull cord if it's one specific type of ignition? I realize it's no fun... BUT, if that's an option, it might be worth a try. That way I wouldn't need the battery than too.... I know there were a lot of wires from the electric starter from a main board on the motor near the starter itself. If I do get it running with a pull cord, what's the best recommendation for killing it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 70's Chrysler Outboard, Start Manually?

first, you need water no matter how you start it. The impeller (water pump) has to be wet to be lubricated or it will burn out, especially if it's been sitting. Then, your motor needs water to cool or it will seize up and become a nice anchor.

Second, any OB can be pull-started, but the bigger they are, the harder just to pull it. the cord comes loose and whips anyone nearby. Your stand has to be extra braced.

Third, an old and stone cold motor that hasn't been run in a while is very hard to start anyway, near impossible by pulling. So if it doesn't start from pulling, you won't know if the problem is you or the motor.

Fourth, some electric start motors have certain switches in the cowl you flip to pull start--chokes and such.

Finally, to pull start a big motor in a boat, you tie the cord to an oar, stand it up, brace the bottom and pull the top toward you like a lever. So try something similar in the shop if you must.