1972 20 hp - lockout lever? throttle issues...

ejbatenb

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Sep 9, 2011
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13
just picked up this awesome little motor for a steal with the intention of goin through it and making it run like a champ. Already have gone through the carb, replaced one coil, cleaned points, changed LU oil and seals, water pump, etc.

My first question is related to this "lockout lever and spring assembly" on top of the cylinder next to the flywheel. It looks like this thing at one point got into the flywheel and the starter teeth shredded part of the plastic off. Can someone tell me what this part actually does (I'm guessing something to do with throttle and shifting but I've never seen one as all of my other outboard projects have been on older and smaller motors). And also how is it supposed to look/function when assembled. it seems like the return spring is not situated in the right location so it kind of just flops around on its own.



2nd issue is with the tiller throttle control. It is very stiff and watching the timing on the throttle cam while you turn it you can see that it gives almost no low end throttle until it nears the end of the cam and then basically just goes full instantly because of the difficulty in turning the tiller handle. Is there a link that shows how to adjust the throttle sync on these older motors? Or how to make it roll smoother and easier? I tried some grease in the tiller gears but that didn't seem to improve it. It looks like there is a lot of resistance coming from the throttle cam/timing plate where all the coils and such are attached...

I can post pictures if needed. Any help is greatly appreciated
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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38,572
Remove the tiller grip handle.----Lubricate the tapered / plastic friction piece found way up inside the handle grip.
 

ejbatenb

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Sep 9, 2011
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never mind. I all of a sudden found a thread after using Google and not the search on this site. praise the Google ... it still brought me back here :)

Thanks
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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The lever only allows so much throttle in nuetral.------It allows a bit more throttle in reverse .------It allows full throttle in forward.
 

tomhath

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 5, 2007
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814
I think the lever you're talking about is supposed to stop you from pulling the starter rope when the motor is in gear.
 

ejbatenb

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Sep 9, 2011
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thanks everyone. I just took it off. I want full throttle when I want full throttle.
 

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
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Picture this: For some reason, the motor quit while running at full throttle (ran out of gas?). So, a little bit un-nerved you pull the rope without putting the throttle back to "slow", and shifting to neutral. It is in gear at wide open throttle. You pull the rope and it starts and takes off like a bat out of hades. You lose your balance and fall out of the boat. The boat goes around in a big circle and comes back and runs over you. Don't laugh, it has happened more than a few times. The starter lockout prevents that by keeping you from pulling the rope. You removed a safety device.
 

ejbatenb

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Sep 9, 2011
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there's an inherent danger with any boat and motor. We aren't supposed to be in water, that's why we have feet and lungs. I'll take my chances...
 

Chinewalker

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Aug 19, 2001
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8,902
Okay, so why on earth would you want to be able to start it at full throttle?? If you start it at full throttle in neutral and aren't quick enough to back it down, you'll have shrapnel trying to escape from the cowling. As stated above, that lock-out is there for a reason.
 

ejbatenb

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Sep 9, 2011
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when it's 20 degrees out and I'm trying to get a duck boat up river before my nuts freeze off The only way you can start these old motors is full throttle. I've been doing it for many years and have never had any issues. and the part is broken and I'm not paying $50 for a safety feature that I don't want anyway. Especially since it ended up in the flywheel already and got chewed up. a useless piece of crap, not a safety feature. That's what the lanyard kill switch is for.
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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??????----If you have to use full throttle to start a motor there is something wrong!!---It should be easy to find out what is wrong.---But some folks do not want ------
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
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Jul 7, 2006
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28,226
Personally, if you want to pitch yourself out of the boat in freezing water, that's your choice. But it becomes somebody else's problem if they are in your path when you start it and run over them. That's how lawyers make their money.
 
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