Whatchamacallit???

[Blinkin]

i just bought an old fishing boat this past weekend that has a 1977 Chrysler 75hp outboard motor (model: 757 HC). The guy I bought it from took me out on the lake so I could check everything prior to purchase and when he went to crank it the first time it was cold and didn't want to crank. He pulled the top off and pushed down what I believe to be choke linkage and I turned it over and it cranked right up. He told me that this has happened before and I only had to do it the first crank of the day, after that initial crank it would be fine. He mentioned a part that would fix that problem which he never had time to buy and put on. He called it a "warm-up resistor" and said it was only like $28.00. Now I just bought this thing and don't have a manual or anything yet so I tried looking this part up to no avail. Either this guy was full of it or that is just not the proper name for the part. If anybody has a clue what this guy might have been talking about I would appreciate some information that might help me track down the proper part. By the way the motor did run fine and would crank back up with no problems.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Whatchamacallit???

First of all, use the proper terminology: it is not a whatchamacallit, it is a thingamajig and attaches to the hingus. LOL

Was the thing he pushed a silver colored slug of steel in the center of a brass colored can about 2 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 inches long? If so, that was the choke solenoid and should still be available--they only made slight changes from year to year.

They are relatively trouble free so before you go out and buy one, do a couple of simple diagnostic tests: Check for resistance by using one probe of a meter on the terminal, and one on the case. There should be SOME (low) resistance; if it is infinite then the windings are broken. If it is zero, then the windings are shorted.

Check that it is functional by jumping from the red wire to the terminal. If it trys to close or sparks, then the solenoid is probably good. (as long as it is not shorted)

Check that when you push in on the switch key, that it gets 12 volts. Check the green wire at both ends to be sure the terminals are not broken.

There are three fiber gaskets between the air box and the front of the carbs. With age they get soaked with oil, swell, and interfere with the choke full open stop lever on the side of the carb. (some carbs only have a pin inside though) If yours have the levers, check to see that the gaskets are not interfering. Since all three chokes have return springs, it doesn't take much interference to stop them from closing.

If you need to buy a choke solenoid, contact Franz Marine over at the Chrysler Crew. Buy the Clymers manual--It appears to be better than the others. Best would be the factory manual but Clymers is cheaper and more readily available.

 

[Blinkin]

Re: Whatchamacallit???

This is what isn't making any sense to me: he called it a resistor (electrical component) but what he pushed was linkage. Two rods parallel to each other about an inch apart connected by more linkage. It definitely wasn't a solenoid. That is what is driving me crazy now the more i think about it. He messed with nothing electrical whatsoever. It was a mechanical linkage assembly. From inside the boat with the top off it would be located on the right side closest to you. He just pushed the rods down and held it why I turned the motor over and vroom, she cranked right up. i am feeling like an idiot at the moment wondering why I didn't ask him why he was talking electrical when it was obviously mechanical. unless....there is some kind of motor or gear that would push the rods down when you pull the knob or push the switch, whichever it is.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Whatchamacallit???

All three chokes are connected by one straight rod on the right hand side of the front of the carbs when looking at the front of the engine from inside the boat. (this is actually the PORT side) The top choke has another rod that goes down the to the steel slug in the solenoid. If you push anywhere on the mechanical linkage assembly, all three chokes will close. Let go and the return springs will automatically open them. BTW: if you sit in a boat facing forward, PORT is to your left and STARBOARD is to your right. So PORT side of the engine tells me exactly which side without going through all the verbiage

It is definitely actuated by a solenoid. (Electrical--brass colored can--green wire) He probably used the wrong terminology and confused you by saying it was a resistor. These engines did not use a resistor of any type at all. And 28 bucks sounds about right for a choke solenoid.

These engines only need to be choked to start the first start of the day. After that, they are usually warm enough to start without choking and will start and run quite happily.

Did the owner show you how to pull out the chrome lever or silver button on the control box and advance the handle 'till it stops to start the engine in fast idle position? And did he tell you that you need to push IN on the key while cranking to actuate the choke solenoid?

And you don't need to feel like an idiot when someone confuses you by not properly explaining what they are doing on an unfamiliar piece of equipment. The error is theirs, not yours.

 

[Blinkin]

Re: Whatchamacallit???

Well well well... You nailed it. I only saw the linkage and didn't realize that it was hooked to the solenoid. He didn't mention anything about the fast idle position or pushing in on the key to actuate the solenoid. The guy said he only had the boat about 2 months so I would be willing to bet that he didn't know about the key actuating the choke and therefore assumed the solenoid was bad. You gave me plenty of info to verify whether the solenoid is good or not so I will check that out. I am going to laugh if there is nothing wrong with it at all.

Just to make sure I have this correct: If I pull the cover off of the motor and push the key in it will actuate the solenoid and I should see the linkage move down?

I appreciate your help on this, you have been a huge help. As for the boating lingo, I will remember to refer to it correctly next time. I didn't think I would ever use the lingo again after getting out of the Marines. Apparently it will come in handy after all. I always thought it would be like algebra, "I don't know why I have to learn this crap, I will never use it again." LOL.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Whatchamacallit???

Correct! If you turn the key to run or start position and push it in, you will hear the chokes click closed and see the solenoid pull in the steel slug. --Assuming the solenoid is working, electrical is ok, and the linkage is not binding from the gaskets.