1963 Super Seahorse Electramatic

[Cree73]

Hello all - I'm a new guy restoring a 1963 Larson All American ... and while I'm busy rebuilding the transom, stringers, and deck, I'm also trying to line of the parts needed for the electrical rebuild.

So here's the challenge - the motor appears original to the boat (1963) and is a Super Seahorse Electramatic 40 horse. When I got it, the original key and ignition switch were gone. It "appears" the entire harness is complete besides that, so my question is this: Can anyone share with me what variety of ignition switch I'd need to use? In studying some of the various diagrams I've found here, it would seem I'm looking for a 5 pole switch, and honestly, this question is one I can't really worry about right this second. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row. I'm certainly prepared to have to repower the boat, but I'd like to be able to base that decision on the what I find once I can reliably engage the starting system versus cobbling together a bad "jump start" setup.

On the other hand, is there a "smarter" way to wire up this ignition?

Since I haven't posted enough to include pics, I will list what I have for wiring under the dash...

Red, green, and blue wire that come in to a small plug, then the blue and green continue back into the harness while the red is unconnected to anything, cut and stripped.

Two black wires from the harness, both simply cut and stripped.

Red wire (cut and stripped) from the overheat light.

Heavier gauge wire - dark red (maybe brown) from the ammeter.

One grey wire, again, cut and stripped, originating in the harness.

As I said, I'm not ready to begin wiring yet, but I am trying to gather the correct parts to begin that phase of the restoration. So which ignition switch would be the proper one for this?

I appreciate ya'll's insight into this and it's been a fun learning curve from old cars.

Cree

 

[racerone]

The red green and blue wires have to do with the electric shift.----The 2 black wires would go to an ignition switch with 2 terminals marked M------Find the wiring diagram on ----maxrules----mastertechmarine----Website.

 

[oldboat1]

from up top in the secret files: https://maxrules.com/graphics/omc/wiring/61_66_40HP.jpg

 

[Cree73]

Thanks guys - right after I posted, I happened to track down that same image from Google - Thank you Oldboat1!. Once I get done with the hull rebuild, I’m really be digging into this side of the forum - the knowledge here is so vast, I’m really thankful to have found it.

Cree

 

[racerone]

Do a complete evaluation / testing on the motor before you spend any money on it.----So do you have all the electrical bits like junction box / voltage regulator / generator ?----Do a compression test .----Inspect pistons & ring through by-pass covers.------Test shift function ( Can be done with motor not running ) of the electro magnets.-----Check gear oil ( type-C for electric shift ) for water.----Remove flywheel and inspect ignition coils.

 

[Cree73]

Racerone - That’s the plan. “Everything” is here except the ignition switch - the junction box, regulator, generator, and shifter. It’s certainly in “used” shape, but I haven’t found a lot of hacks or shortcuts. My plan, after the hull is sound, is to focus on determining what the plan needs to be on the engine, and rather than cobble together the wrong switch - plenty of that on these pages - I want to make sure to have the right one, as well as some basic maintenance done with respect to cleaned connections, no open shorts, etc. I’ve learned the hard way that stacked tolerances and assumptions lead to more mistakes and misdiagnosing of non-problems, especially in older motors where parts and part numbers have been superceded multiple times.

This thing isn’t going to splash this year, so I can afford to take my time, spend a few dollars wisely, and make the right decision on the powerplant. It’ll keep me out of trouble for a few months, and it’ll teach me things I didn’t know.

 

[racerone]

They are a wonderfully simple / reliable / very good electric shift system on that motor and used parts are easy to find.-------There were lots made compared to production numbers today.----Your location ?

 

[Cree73]

I’m in south Georgia, near Statesboro. Not a lot of big water nearby, but the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers will be perfect for the Larson.

 

[oldboat1]

Lunch at the Pirate's House!