'74 115hp Starter problem

[gregtobin]

Thanks to the help from iboaters over the last week, I was able to get things going and take my sons out on Saturday. We had a great time running around. The motor started easily and we could go about 35. The boys got to try out water skiing and kneeboarding.
Unfortunately, I shut down the motor while one son was climbing back in and could not re-start. I could hear the starter spinning, but it would not engage the flywheel and turn the motor. Some boaters from Chambersburg, PA towed us about a mile back to the launch (Thanks!!!).
Once home, I recharged the battery (it was almost fully charged anyway) in case that the starter just needed more juice, but it still wouldn't engage the flywheel.
I expect my new manual to arrive tomorrow and will remove the starter to take a look. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Once I have the starter off, I plan to test it by direct connection with the battery. Can you give me advice on which wires to connect where and what to look for if the gear doesn't throw forward when the starter spins?

Thanks
Greg

 

[Plainsman]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

Have you checked for spark on all cylinders as well as compression?

 

[gewf631]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I could hear the starter spinning, but it would not engage the flywheel and turn the motor.

Greg,
I don't have it in front of me, but I know the annual maintenance procedure calls for lubrication of the starter motor (shaft, I think).
I had a similar problem on my '85. I was able to get it started by using a screwdriver to free-up the shaft, and found-out about that lubrication when I started looking through the service manual.

 

[gregtobin]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I have both spark and compression.
I haven't had a chance to remove the starter yet, but I'm now guessing that the problem is either poor connections to the starter or the shaft needing lubrication.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

Greg, You are on the right track. Make sure the starter ground cable is good. The starter is rubber mounted and doens not ground itself to the block. Also, on those old motors the cables can get corroded on the ends, and sometimes (especially on saltwater motors), under the insulation, where it is hard to see. So if the starter spins slowly, and the connections appear good and the starter seems good, inspect the battery cable and ground cable to make sure those are good.

 

[canadian_fisher]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I had a similar problem years back on an older 35HP. Make sure you can move the spindle manually so it touches the flywheel before going any further.

Remove the lanyard or keep the key to OFF.
Leave the starter in the outboard (for safety reasons).
Disconnect the Positive (Red) and Negative (Black) wires from the starter.
Connect a good set of jumper cables to the battery side.
Then hook-up ground then tap the "nut" on the starter.
Try not to hit the threads as it will damage it.

If you still don't get the starter to "pop", drop some good Marine lube on the threads. If this doesn't work, you can rebuild the starter with a little time and patience.
If you need help, I've rebuild a few of these before.

CF

 

[gregtobin]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

Unfortunately, the guy at the store who ordered my manual won't be back until next week and I'm having trouble removing the starter from the motor.
I have taken off the upper and lower yokes by removing the four bolts and have taken off the upper frame to increase access. The starter seems to be held by upper and lower rubber cups that are stuck in the retaining yokes. I don't see any other bolts holding the starter in place. But before I apply more pressure to lever this piece out, I thought I'd ask if I'm missing anything.
If the file comes through, the red arrows point to two of the four bolts that I removed from the yokes.

Thanks!

 

[gregtobin]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I guess I need to read how to upload a picture. In the meantime, I just made a web site that shows the picture I 'm talking about.

http://gt-web-page.wetpaint.com/

Thanks for bearing with me.....

 

[Plainsman]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

Here is link on how to post a picture:

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=37;gtid=1179789

 

[gregtobin]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

THANKS for all your help!
The bendix gear was stuck. After spraying with Sea Foam (available at PepBoys), I was able to get it to lift up with the gentle use a a small screwdriver while turning the top nut.
With continued movement, it lubed up pretty well.

I was not able to remove the starter, but that's for another day...
I plan on getting an ebay used starter and getting it ready for replacement when the inevitable occurs.

Thanks again!

PS, it's strange that I wasn't able to post my picture as I followed the instructions as in the above link. Hopefully, I won't need to in the future. Perhaps it would be helpful for a moderator to set up a TEST POST site so that we newbies can work out the kinks without creating more clutter?

 

[gewf631]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I told you so!

Glad it was an inexpensive fix.

 

[gregtobin]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

Thanks gewf631 - I did just what you suggested!
I'm just an old dog learning new tricks!

 

[Plainsman]

Re: '74 115hp Starter problem

I think you couldn't post the pic because you didn't have the full URL. If you right mouse click the picture and go to properties, you will see the full URL.