1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

[sparkovich]

Hey all, I'm new to working on outboards, and I've used the forums to fix other problems, but here's one that I haven't yet seen...

I hooked up a 1970 40hp johnson electramatic, that worked 2 weeks ago. The guy I bought it from cut the wiring harness, so I had to put those wires back together. Now, it seems that when I turn the key, the starter is spinning backwards! It's turning in a counter clockwise direction. I can manually walk it up the bendix when it's going in the clockwise direction. What could possibly be causing this? could it be that there's 2 wires on the ignition that are backwards? Anything else you can think of? I've checked all wires for nicks and all connections are good and tight.

Secondly, I was told as a general rule that outboards turn in a clockwise direction when looking at them from the top, however, with the bendix the way it is, it would turn the flywheel in a counter-clockwise direction. Any thoughts on this?

Please help as I'm frustrated and about to throw something at this engine... lol

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

starter spins counter clockwise, so it can turn the motor clockwise.

 

[sparkovich]

Re: 1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

ok, but if that's the case, then why would it climb the gear when it's going clockwise? It almost seems like the climbing gear in the starter is backwards... I'm so confused...

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: 1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

If ground is the block the starter cannot run backwards, theres only one wire going to it (+). If it worked once and you didnt recently replace it or have the starter rebuilt it IS spinning the right way.

I think some old counter rotating motors actually ran backwards.... Never seen one.. If it's one of those than it may be correct.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

The starter gear actually walks up the shaft in the opposite direction that it ends up turning once it's engaged in the flywheel.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970 40 hp electramatic starter going backwards??

The starter gear actually walks up the shaft in the opposite direction that it ends up turning once it's engaged in the flywheel.

Sparkovich, try this experiment in slow-motion: Hold the bendix gear from turning while you turn the starter shaft counter-clockwise. The gear will rise. That is exactly what happens when you run the starter electrically. The gear stands still (more or less) while the starter shaft suddenly zooms counter-clockwise. That causes the gear to rise and engage the flywheel, turning the flywheel clockwise. It all happens in a short instant, but it is just the way you did it in slow motion.