Recoil Starter Problems

[lindy46]

I just picked up a 1955 Brooklure 500 5hp which is basically the same as a Johnson 5.5hp. I'm having problems with the recoil. The pawls do not pop out when you pull the rope. I have compared it to a recoil from a 1956 30hp and the mechanism is basically identical. When you pull the rope on the larger recoil, the pawls immediately pop out, and retract when you release. I tried tightening the center bolt on the pawl mechanism on the 5hp, but then the rope won't pull out. I got that bolt adjusted so the pawls would pop out, but it is then too tight for the rope to pull back in. So . . . I can either get the rope to pull in and out easily but the pawls won't pop out, or I can get the pawls to pop out, but the rope won't retract. I have had both units apart to see if there were any parts missing, but both mechanisms are identical and there are no parts missing. On the 30hp, I can tighten that center bolt very tight and the rope still pulls easily and retract fine. If I tighten the center bolt on the 5hp, the rope will not pull out at all. Any ideas? (P.S. - spring is tight.)

 

[F_R]

Re: Recoil Starter Problems

I just picked up a 1955 Brooklure 500 5hp which is basically the same as a Johnson 5.5hp. I'm having problems with the recoil. The pawls do not pop out when you pull the rope. I have compared it to a recoil from a 1956 30hp and the mechanism is basically identical. When you pull the rope on the larger recoil, the pawls immediately pop out, and retract when you release. I tried tightening the center bolt on the pawl mechanism on the 5hp, but then the rope won't pull out. I got that bolt adjusted so the pawls would pop out, but it is then too tight for the rope to pull back in. So . . . I can either get the rope to pull in and out easily but the pawls won't pop out, or I can get the pawls to pop out, but the rope won't retract. I have had both units apart to see if there were any parts missing, but both mechanisms are identical and there are no parts missing. On the 30hp, I can tighten that center bolt very tight and the rope still pulls easily and retract fine. If I tighten the center bolt on the 5hp, the rope will not pull out at all. Any ideas? (P.S. - spring is tight.)

Yep, I can tell you exactly what is wrong. There is a coil spring inside the equalizer cup. The spring rides on the spindle to cause the pawls to swing out when you pull the rope.

Problem is, somebody has had it apart and didn't know how to reassemble it. The equalizer spring must be pre-assembled up on the shoulder of the spindle before the spindle is inserted into the pulley. If it isn't done that way, the result is exactly what you describe.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Recoil Starter Problems

WOW - F_R you're the man! After spending all day trying to figure it out, just wound the spring around the spindle shoulder and all is well Thanks so much. You're never too old to learn something. In all my years, I've never encountered this problem before. So simple once you know the trick.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Recoil Starter Problems

Lindy46- you had doubts, the guy is like an outboard dictionary, never fails to impress.

 

[cmcastle]

Re: Recoil Starter Problems

Yep, I can tell you exactly what is wrong. There is a coil spring inside the equalizer cup. The spring rides on the spindle to cause the pawls to swing out when you pull the rope.

Problem is, somebody has had it apart and didn't know how to reassemble it. The equalizer spring must be pre-assembled up on the shoulder of the spindle before the spindle is inserted into the pulley. If it isn't done that way, the result is exactly what you describe.

I know this is an ok thread but bear with me I'm new here. Is there any description on how to correctly assemble this? I have been having a heck if a time getting this starter working because -of course- being a newbie with no experience with outboards, let alone one from 55, I took that sucker apart to fix the rope but can't get the pawls to do anything. Any tips or suggestions would be so appreciated!

 

[F_R]

Re: Recoil Starter Problems

Look at the picture of the equalizer cup and spring that I posted. It should be self explanatory. The spring has to be preassembled onto the shoulder of the spindle before the spindle is inserted into the pulley. If it falls off before you get it into the spindle, start over. Once it is on the shoulder and into the pulley and the center bolt tightened, it can't fall off again, and it will work.

That starter design was used for over 20 years and lots of people have experienced that frustrating little detail. Once you understand it, it is simple.