Manual starter problems--new guy...

hunterterrell

Recruit
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
4
Hello hello,
I'm new to the world of boat motors and I'm having some trouble with the manual starter on my 1968 mercury 200. The starter is a "Type A" according to the manual I was given. When I first bought it a couple of weeks ago, pulling on the cord did nothing...upon further investigation I found that the pawls were not popping out like they should. It seemed that one of the problems was that the pawl retainer plate was clamped down so that it wouldn't move at all.
So, I disassembled the starter, cleaned everything, and then lubricated the cup washer, pawl pins, flat washer, and the shoulder of the sheave shaft (as per the manual). Upon reassembly, much to my surprise it seemed to work. Unfortunately, after a few pulls on the cord the retainer plate clamped again making it hard to move.

Any ideas as to what is going on? I'm at my wits end and would like to get this fixed so I can go FISHING! I did notice that the sheave shaft was missing some sort of nylon bushing (according to the manual) but it didn't seem like there was any room for another bushing. Also, the manual says there should be a "fiber washer" on the shoulder of the sheave shaft, but there is a metal one on mine...could this cause a problem?
Sorry about the lengthy post...any help is much appreciated.

Hunter
 

hunterterrell

Recruit
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
4
Re: Manual starter problems--new guy...

Anyone? Its warming up down here in TN and I'd love to be on the water.

Thanks
Hunter
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Manual starter problems--new guy...

Sounds like someone lost the fiber washer and replaced it with a metal one. I bet you can find what you need to fix it at www.oldmercs.com. Good luck and get out on the water...I want to know where the fish are!
 

Motor Boater Bill

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
488
Re: Manual starter problems--new guy...

Hmm--my old manual is out in the shop, but on my 1976 20 hp there is a "star" washer with teeth around it that locks the nut in the center that holds it all together, it has "teeth" that bend up around the nut and down into a recess in the starter housing--see anything like that in the parts drawing? Without that it might be tightening up when you pull it. Just shooting in the dark but you got my sympathy with "it's warming up down here!" Greetings from KY.
 

hunterterrell

Recruit
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
4
Re: Manual starter problems--new guy...

Indeed, the starter does have the little tab washer dealy to hold tension on the spring/recoil and it is installed. I was going to use a new one, but it seems there hard to find. Still no clue why it is clamping...

Hunter
 
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