Model #9223M, serial #J01093, from the mid-70's. I just bought it, actually it came with the boat I bought, and the starter cord is pulled all the way out. The plastic gear that slides up to engage and turn the crank is worn but still functional. The problem is, how do I get tension on the return spring? I pulled the assembly; there is a center shaft (attached only at the top side, with a flattened half-round bottom end), long spring, tube, and end cap (loose fitting, pulled off easily) with a retainer screw in it (no, I didn't remove that screw - yet). How do I reinstall it so I have preloaded tension and the starter cord retracts? Thanks for any advice - except to buy a manual - I plan to get one soon but want to get this boat in the water yesterday! This isn't the first motor I've resurrected, that would have been a 7.5 hp 1953 Elgin (still running fine, BTW), but this return spring setup is new to me.
