1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

[gholmesjr]

So I have been researching for weeks now and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. So I have decided to post.

Here's what I have. The motor is coming from a 1962 Starcraft Jetstar. The model number on the motor listed it as an RX-10. It has the mounting bracket for the starter, but no electrical hook ups.

Here's what I want to do. I want to add a starter since the boat is long and running back and forth would be a pain. My understanding is I would need the starter (either 6v or 12v, leaning toward 12v since it is a 28hp motor). I would also need a solenoid for the starter mounted somewhere externally, correct? Do I need a choke actuator for the starting?

Once I get the starter and solenoid (if needed) how do I wire it up to a key switch? If I wire it up to a key switch, how does the motor shut off? I assume after I turn the key off the motor would continue to run or would the Solenoid send a trigger to the shut off switch on the motor? Would I need to run a shut off switch to the motor to kill it remotely?

Lastly and less important, can a stator be installed on this motor?

Thanks,

J.T.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Don't even consider 6 volt. Yes, you need a starter and solenoid. Hookup is simple if you understand electrical systems. There should be a stop button on the motor. Just extend those wires to the key switch and it will shut off. You MUST use a key switch designed for magneto ignition. A car switch will destroy the ignition system. Choke?? Depends on whether or not you want to walk back to manually choke it for a cold start-up. Once started ans warmed up, further choking is not required.

By "stator" you mean an alternator? No, but a DC generator is possible, costing more than the motor did.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Thanks F_R for your quick response. I am looking into switches now. I'll probably get a switch with a push button choke application ability, but won't use it unless it's absolutely needed, so walking back there to choke it if needed is fine.

Do you or anyone else have a quick wiring setup guide? I have an idea in mind, but would like a little more direction to make sure I am correct in my thinking.

Thanks again,

J.T.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Thanks F_R for your quick response. I am looking into switches now. I'll probably get a switch with a push button choke application ability, but won't use it unless it's absolutely needed, so walking back there to choke it if needed is fine.

Do you or anyone else have a quick wiring setup guide? I have an idea in mind, but would like a little more direction to make sure I am correct in my thinking.

Thanks again,

J.T.

These may help. Note, the wiring is much simpler without the generator. Also, I have the service and parts manual for this motor. If you want, send me a PM with your email address.

No Generator...

With generator...

And finally, here's a video of mine running. It idled great but kinda had the shakes though, LOL...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXx1MFvOz88

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Fantastic Jasper! I sent you my e-mail through PM...this helps a bunch!!!

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

So, I might have my hands on an old 25 HP Goodyear Sea Bee...would the starter from this work on my 28hp Johnson? Also it has new coils (I sold it to a guy a long time ago and he doesn't use it and is parting it out). So I might just buy this if these parts will bolt up.

J.T.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

OK, so the Sea Bee route was a no go. Now I have some questions though. I stripped the motor down yesterday and ran Ohms test on the coils which also looked to have been switched out already. The motor is really really hard to pull. I can get one turn over maaaaybe two, but not enough to do anything. Is there anything I can do to loosen it up a bit?

J.T.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

So I pulled the plugs out tonight and pulled on the rope and it turns just fine. Did that a few times to cycle it, put the plugs back in and pulled as hard as I could! BTW the plugs are brand new. But I pulled as hard as I could and it puttered for a split second then died...so now I am looking at some further steps to get this thing fired up. Any suggestions?

J.T.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Is there good spark on both cylinders? It should jump a 1/4" gap on a spark tester with a healthy blue spark. I think you're compression is fine, given how hard it is to pull. I'm getting too old and lazy to be pull starting 30 HP motors.....

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

I haven't checked my dad being an old mechanic did the arch screw driver test, but I don't think it was touching bare metal as there was no spark that arched from the screw driver to the metal. I don't have a spark tester, so I will pick one of those up. I'm wondering if either of the plug wires are bad. Is there a way to do an Ohms test on the plug wires? Thanks for all your help any suggestions are very welcome and appreciated.

J.T.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

... Is there a way to do an Ohms test on the plug wires? Thanks for all your help any suggestions are very welcome and appreciated.

J.T.

I would do the spark tester as tx1961whaler suggested. The plug wires could be bad, but more
likely something further up stream.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Ive got this same motor Ghol, and it does turn over mean with the rope. Tough and reliable old motor though.

Luckily mine came with the starter and wiring attatched. Just had to get a new key switch for it and it worked fine.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Yeah, I will be getting a starter for it, that's for sure. Ebay has starters for 50 bucks that look just like the one on yours. It'd be much better if I could just throw a starter on it instead of pulling the rope for testing purposes, but I can't drop the 50 bucks right now. Might be able to Friday. Someone on my non-profit fishing forum suggested to spray the cylinder with WD-40 and cycle it a bit then try and start it. I picked up a spark tester today, will hopefully be testing it tomorrow evening after work.

J.T.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

I found a starter that says it works with "ENGINES - MARINE OUTBOARD 28 (Older Models) 31.8ci - 28 H.P. 1960-1976"

Would this work for my motor?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STARTER-EVINRUDE-JOHNSON-OMC-20-25-28-30-30-40HP-5712-/170243807513?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item27a3525919

 

[bouttime007]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

It looks like the description says it will.

Id ask the seller straight out, just to double check though.

For what its worth, mine has 11 teeth too.

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

I sprayed some WD-40 in the head and cycled it through. Checked with an inline spark tester and no go on the light, so I was thinking something electrical is going wrong. However, after spraying WD-40 it is easier to pull, but still a bear. I decided to give it all I could and I did get it to start for about 5 seconds...then it died...but I also was only running what fuel it had in the bubble. I then hooked up the tank and then threw my arm out trying to get it started again. I built a stand for the motor, but it is a little high...so I don't think I am getting enough leverage...I am going to put it back on the boat and try it that way this weekend.

I should add that the stand I built is vertical, meaning the motor is tilted forward a bit, this leads to gas/oil coming out of the carb's choke valve. Do you think I am starving the motor by doing this? I'm really not a newbie at boat motors, just stumped and I just thought of this as a possible reason. Any other suggestions?

 

[bouttime007]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

It could be possible I guess, but Im not exactly a pro outboard mechanic either. Would you say the spark was weak, or are you just not able to wheel it over fast enough?

I know my motor doesnt like to be choked very much though. She usually fires up pretty quick. Maybe yours is sucking air at one of the fittings?

 

[gholmesjr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Yeah, I'm not getting it turned quick enough to produce a good spark I think. I've tried it choked and not choked.

 

[Mas]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

A car switch will destroy the ignition system.

Kinda curious why this is the case???

Mas

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1962 Johnson 28HP RX-10 Super Seahorse

Kinda curious why this is the case???

Mas

Because a car switch is designed to send power to the ignition system on the ON position and break the connection in the off position, whereas an outboard motor key switch is designed to ground the ignition system in the OFF position and the ground connection is broken, when the key is in the on position. Things are backwards in a car switch, versus an outboard motor switch and this is because in a car you have an ignition system that is dependent on power, where an outboard motor is self powered, like a lawnmower. It gets juice, when the flywheel turns.
There are also rules to follow, when you install a starter solenoid on an outboard too. You will see an outboard solenoid looks like that of your pappy's old Ford farm truck, but there is a major difference. With the solenoid in the old Ford, both of the small studs are hot. On the outboard solenoid, the small stud on the battery side is hot and the small stud on the starter side is a ground.
If you look at the diagram that jasper60103 was nice enough to post, you will see that the grounding terminal on the outboard solenoid, infact goes to a safety switch (filled with mercury, typically) which will prevent the starter solenoid from engaging the starter, if the throttle is turned up above a fast idle (which would only occure in gear). This is so you can't start your engine in gear and throw your cousin Billy Bob or Jimmy Joe off the back of the boat when it starts. The more experienced boaters who know when and how to start an outboard motor, will just run this ground wire to a good grounding spot on the powerhead and call it good.

So, please note, wiring outboards is nothing like wiring up your old cars. They're kinda opposite, so to speak and things can easily get destroyed, if you're not careful.