Help! Johnson seahorse 70hp 1988

[cameronr]

I have a simple, yet year long issue and seeing if anyone has any advice. I am trying to determine if my motor is seized or if it’s normal. My starter kept getting stuck in the fly wheel and not turning the engine over. I took the spark plugs out today and was able to spin the flywheel by hand and it dropped the Bendix year of the starter. I found that the flywheel will spin 2-3 full times then gets stuck, clockwise and counter clock wise. Is the engine toast?

 

[racerone]

Remove lower unit and test again.

 

[kbait]

Weak battery/poor connections can cause this, as can weak/failing starter motor.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Are all of the pistons moving? Skinny stick in the spark plug hole while hand spinning will confirm.

 

[cameronr]

Thank you everyone, going to try removing the lower unit first to see if my answers hire or lower. (Praying it’s lower). I need to construct some sort of mechanism to get the shift rod pin out without hopefully taking off the starter. I will keep you updated.

 

[racerone]

Taking lower unit off is dead easy.----On a 1988 model 70 HP you need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove a hitch pin.----Then push lever on motor to port side and rotate.----Shift rod is now disconnected.----Very easy and quick !

 

[cameronr]

Taking lower unit off is dead easy.----On a 1988 model 70 HP you need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove a hitch pin.----Then push lever on motor to port side and rotate.----Shift rod is now disconnected.----Very easy and quick !

Great news, took the bottom end off. And freed up the motor (talked to 2 mechanics) this was never brought up. This model of motor actually had a screw and not the pin, and was very tough spot to get too but got the starter off and made it accessible. Going to put a new (to me) bottom end on. This one was bone dry with a nest of lady bugs. Going to put it back together and make sure it cranks but I have a feeling I saved myself a thousand bucks.

 

[Crosbyman]

I think Racerone saved you a thousand....

 

[racerone]

Perhaps the motor is NOT a 1988 model.-----Post the model # and some pictures.----It will only help you.

 

[cameronr]

Perhaps the motor is NOT a 1988 model.-----Post the model # and some pictures.----It will only help you.

You are right once again! Found out it is a 1977 not a 1988 like what I was told. This may be why the starter I bought is not engaging all the way with the fly wheel. Going to check serial numbers and see if that is what is causing this not to engage.

 

[cameronr]

You are right once again! Found out it is a 1977 not a 1988 like what I was told. This may be why the starter I bought is not engaging all the way with the fly wheel. Going to check serial numbers and see if that is what is causing this not to engage.

Looked up the serial numbers, same parts. Any idea why the motor would spin freely but the starter is not coming up all the way? To put it into perspective, the bendix far comes up about 50-60% spins the fly wheel slightly, then stops all together. I then have to free the bendix gear by turning the engine by hand. It rotates the flywheel about 1/8th then gets stuck.

I want to say this is a starter or electrical issue at this point.

 

[racerone]

I gave instructions for an 88 model , that were correct.----But oh so often I see people posting here with no knowledge of what they actually have.----Lotsd of motor out there for sale with motors listed as 10 years newer then they are.----Was true 50 years ago as well !!

 

[racerone]

Perhaps you bought someone's problem motor.----Here a motor like that would have the cylinder head off in a matter of minutes for inspection.----These motors have a history of leaking exhaust cover gaskets.-----This becomes an issue with internal rust.-----A head gasket is CHEAP

 

[cameronr]

Perhaps you bought someone's problem motor.----Here a motor like that would have the cylinder head off in a matter of minutes for inspection.----These motors have a history of leaking exhaust cover gaskets.-----This becomes an issue with internal rust.-----A head gasket is CHEAP

Definitely a problem motor. BUT. Jumped the starter off the battery dirrectly and now the fly wheel turns and cranks. Just got to figure out where the issue is with getting power to the starter. Going to multimeter all the connections and see if I can find a short.

New bottom end on the way. One step closer

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Definitely a problem motor. BUT. Jumped the starter off the battery dirrectly and now the fly wheel turns and cranks. Just got to figure out where the issue is with getting power to the starter. Going to multimeter all the connections and see if I can find a short.

New bottom end on the way. One step closer

Starter gear staying in-gauged is pretty common and not really a fault. Fast spinning fly makes the gear disengage once started.

Not looking for a short but more like a resistance issue. Corrosion, bad ground very common or the solenoid is toast. All very easy to check. Since you have a volt meter or even know what one is I assume you know the proper procedures.

HUGE difference of a 77 vrs 88