57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

[dcparizo]

I was given a 57/58 johnson outboard<br />RDE-19.<br /> <br />Electric start/generator ect ....<br /> <br />Problem is won't start. Troubles began with cracked cables, old wiring ect....<br />Basically a short/melting hot but not quite a fire at the engine housing plug. Upon further examination, much of the wiring/rubber insulation ect was dry rotted and brittel.<br /> <br />So ... Here's what I did ... attempted to re-wire. ARG ARG ARG (poor tim allen impression) ... bought a clymer manual. <br /> <br />In theory what I wanted to do was to eliminate the electrical for now and simply try to pull start. (I can lift the entire engine with my right arm ... Still working on the left).<br /> <br />so, I eliminated the terminal block by wiring in two fuses and two butt connecters.<br /> <br />Then I realized that none of this was probably needed if I wasn't going to use electric start and/or generator at this time so I marked, and unhooked everything I thought could.<br /> <br />Now comes the question... the manual references a "cut-out switch" and a "mercury switch". Some further investigation referenced a "vacuum cut-off switch" <br /> <br />found the vacuum switch, center post wired to the solenoid and to the magneto and a secondary post grounded to engine. <br /> <br />doesn't seem right ... manual shows a cut-out switch wired same way with a third option to the mercury switch <br /> <br />What I want to do is wire in an emergency switch, then simply use the pull start before I stick any more money into the engine.<br /><br />A basic wiring diagram (or if someone happens to have a xerox copy of the original diagram).<br /><br />I have a single lead comming from the mags that is the only thing I can't really change. It's entirely possible that the engine was wired wrong in the first place ... but the old owner said it ran great 2+ summers ago. (good compression and main components seem fine). <br /><br />any help is appreciated <br />thanks in advance

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

If you only have one wire dropping from the magneto than you can only kill one spark. That should be enough to stop the engine though. Grounding the magneto lead kills your spark. Be warned though that that lead developes around 180v while then engine is running. It is low current, around 4A peak.<br />The 'cut out switch' or 'mercury switch' prevents the solenoid from closing if the engine throttle is advanced too far. It prevents you from cranking the engine with the petal to the metal. Specifically, it provides a ground (closes) for the solenoid low current side only when the throttle is set at or below 'START'.<br />The vaccum switch kills spark (grounds magneto primary lead) when manifold vaccum gets too high (neutral runaway).<br />The kill switch works exactly the same as the vaccum switch.<br />For some reason, OMC chose to use the side terminal on the vaccum cutout switch as the connection point for the 'cut out switch', so it grounds the vaccum cutout. I'm not sure if this is to prevent the vaccum switch from activating at low throttle points (below where the cutout switch closes) - but I doubt it. Probably it was just an easy place to connect things.<br />Probably what you'll want to do is:<br />1) Disconnect the cut out switch<br />2) Connect the side of the vaccum switch to engine ground.<br />3) Connect the magneto lead to the top of the vaccum switch.<br />4) Connect a kill switch (normally open) between the top of the vaccum switch and engine ground.<br />5) Start fiddling with that old generator and starter <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[bhalsdorf]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Your better off buying a manual so you have it. The manual will help out with wiring and any mechanical problems.

 

[Lark40]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

The Clymer manual that you have has the best eletrical diagrams that you can get.<br /><br />I have all the original dealer service documentation, and the Clymer book has better diagrams.

 

[dcparizo]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Thanks to all.<br /><br />A nights rest and a little ice on this arm and I'll be as good as ... well tomorrows another day anyway...<br /><br />Thanks for all the advice. I've now gotten the engine to "flutter" ... almost start.<br /><br />Now its back to more trouble shooting. <br /><br />One more question though. this motor has a following arm on the top of the fly wheel cover. <br />I'm assuming here that this is the equivelent of a timing mechanism and that there is really no adjustment to be made other that points. Is this correct or should I be looking into something else for timing on this engine. <br /><br />I seem to have good spark. so I wasn't too worried, I believe now my problem is in the needle valve adjustments ect ...<br /><br />Come on weekend!!!<br />Thanks again

 

[alcan]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Hi Computer<br /> The following arm as you call it. I believe this is for the compression release. It should hooked up to valves on the head. When you pull the rope it will open them allowing the motor to spin more freely, as you extend the pull,after building a little momentum, the valves will close. Most of these tended to wear and get out of adjustment, so the owners just disconnected them. This helps keep the sholder surgens in business, as you seem to have noticed.

 

[bhalsdorf]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Geek,<br />If you need any close up photos of anything let me know. I have a 1958 Johnson 35 model RDSL-20. I can take photos of anythng you need. I also have some spare parts around if you can't seem to find what you need. I can be reached at bhalsdorf@mecanex.com

 

[dcparizo]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Thanks Bill/All<br /><br />SUCCESS!!!<br /><br />Thanks to all.<br /><br />I took the little cover off of the flywheel when I adjusted the points using a feeler guage. But, I've decided to remove the fly wheel because there are two holding screws on the points that don't really seem to be holding quite like they should. Causes some play in the points ... So in a previous conversation I mentioned that I only had one ground lead comming from the points. Should I install a second and ground both when I turn the engine off? someone said that one will do the trick ... but I'm there so?? <br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 57/58 johnson outboard wiring RDE-19

Sure if you want. Then you'll have two ways to kill the engine. Or you might want to do something like this.<br />You'll have to fix my ASCII art but your a computer geek afterall...