Possibility?

[TLanglitz]

1958 Johnson Super Seahorse 35hp RDSL-20<br /><br />Before I try this, I wanted to run the possibilty past the experts on this board. I am having starter troubles. In a previous post I was told to have it rebuilt. Today, I found a place that can do it, but I'm not convinced that is the answer. <br /><br />The problem is that the starter cranks extremely slow. I purchased a used starter which looks great inside (although so did the original once I cleaned it up), and installed it the other day. It is doing exactly the same thing that original one was ... slow cranking. To eliminate the possibility of bad wiring or a bad solenoid, I had been jumping directly from my car to the starter. With the plugs removed, both the old and the newer starters spin the motor great. With the plugs in (under compression)... slow cranking. I know that this motor has compression release when using the pull rope, but I don't think it has that with the electric starter. <br /><br />My brother suggested that there might be nothing wrong with either starter. He thinks that it's possible that the jumper cables cannot carry enough amperage to allow the starter to work at its full capacity. In round one with this starter problem, I only jumped from the car to the starter. The wiring harness was bad so I couldn't connect a battery. I've finished rebuilding the wiring harness except for new battery cables, but through the harness (jumpers directly to the old battery leads.. no battery installed ) ... I get the same thing. I suspect that my brother is right, and when I install the new battery cables and a new battery, the starter will probably work. I guess I'm looking for someone to agree, or tell me that I'm nuts, before I give this a try. Either way I'll need the parts for this, but I'm a long way from having the boat ready and that was going to be a later purchase.<br /><br />Sorry for writing a book, but there are lots of details and if this works, it might save someone reading these boards a lot of worry later. <br />Thoughts?<br />Tom

 

[DJ]

Re: Possibility?

Can you start the engine with the rope? Does it run?<br /><br />Those can kick back (super high compression) if the flywheel key is sheared.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Possibility?

Jumper cables and associated clamps and connections do vary a lot WRT how much current they can carry. Those old vintage starters need a very hot charge for a small amount of time. The shop that is able to rebuild, should be able to tell you if the starter is actually dragging or not.

 

[TLanglitz]

Re: Possibility?

I haven't tried pulling the rope to start it, but I'm not too worried about whether or not it will run. I want to change the lube in the lower unit before I run the motor. The last time I ran the motor was about seven years ago, and although it needed a carb rebuild then, it ran pretty well. With the plugs out I was able to do a compression test ... about 105 in both cylinders cold. I've had the flywheel off to check out the electronics and the key is fine. In fact, everything on the motor is checked out, adjusted, or rebuilt and I'm looking forward to hearing it run again. The only problem has been the starter.<br />Tom

 

[TLanglitz]

Re: Possibility?

<<<Jumper cables and associated clamps and connections do vary a lot WRT how much current they can carry. Those old vintage starters need a very hot charge for a small amount of time. >>><br /><br />That's what I was thinking, and if you consider the tiny point of contact when just touching a jumper cable to the positive terminal on the starter ... if that were a wire it would be a thin one.<br />Tom

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Possibility?

Check the condition of the battery cables and all the connections up to the starter. Sometimes the wires deteriorate and the connectors corrode. All connections (screws) must be tight. Don't forget the ground.

 

[skeezx01]

Re: Possibility?

give the ground close scrutiny, contrary to popular belief the ground cable has to be the same size as the positive cable. in any DC starting circuit. same amperage coming out as going in.

 

[rwise]

Re: Possibility?

jwf<br />Those cables could well be your problem. replace the onboard stuff and get a good hot battery in there and give it a try. Most store bought cables are not good enuf to do what you are asking of them. If they are home made from welding cable and have great clamps on them then maybe. so in short I agree with the brother!

 

[stairliftoheaven]

Re: Possibility?

I agree with DJ earlier on. Sounds like timing is too far advanced. Timing would be thrown out when flywheel loses position on crank. if cylinder fires too far before top dead centre while cranking, this coulnteracts inertia in the flywheel; hence slow cranking. pull the flywheel and check it out. good luck

 

[TLanglitz]

Re: Possibility?

Yes! Thanks for all of the responses but the problem is solved. My brother was right. The jumper cables cannot carry enough amperage to crank that old model starter, even when jumping directly from a battery to the starter. I pulled the battery out of my old buick and installed side post terminal ends on the old boat battery cables ... connected them to the battery and turned the key. It not only cranks now, but it cranks great! I'm heading to the gas station for fuel ... I gotta see how she runs.<br /><br />I wanted to post this to the bulletin board so someone could avoid making the same mistake I did. Jumping directly to the starter with jumper cables will not provide enough amperage to crank a motor with compression ... at least not on the old motors. <br /><br />Just a note: I used two different sets of jumper cables. The first ones were cheap but the second set I brought home from work (I do Auto Body work) ... They are heavy duty cables in excellent shape.<br /><br />Thanks again to all<br />Tom

 

[DJ]

Re: Possibility?

Great NEWS!