'67 Mercury 350 twin starter problem

[juniorfrancis]

My electric start 1967 35 hp Mercury has been difficult to start lately. It will turn over a few times, but if it doesn't fire up, then the starter just gives one click, and nothing. If I turn the top of the starter with my finger and try again, it will often start right up. I have a new deep cycle battery and I don't run any fish finders or trolling motors with it; it is only used to start the motor up. Does anybody have a good place for me to start to try to remedy this? I am new to outboard motors, so this is all brand new to me. I was able to change a water seal gasket by reading the threads here -- thanks for all the know-how, it really helped.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: '67 Mercury 350 twin starter problem

Sounds like the starter's armature has a bad spot on it. Replace or rebuild.

BTW, this is not specific to outboard motors. Even auto starters can go out this way. I have had this happen to me before in a pickup truck. I climbed under it with a BF hammer and smacked the starter into submission so I could get home.