evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

[hardwater fisherman]

i have an evinrude model number 40604R.it is a 1976 40hp. today when i pulled the rope i thought it was in neutral but it was not. the rope snapped back and it hurt a little. i put in neutral and pulled it again and it just skipped on the ratchet.this happened once before and i took the starter off and put it back on it was ok. tried the same thing today but it still skips. i can get it to engage a little but not enough to turn it over. when it was off i checked it and the pawls are popping out and going back in. any thoughts what may be the problem? thanks in advance.

 

[Daviet]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

Are the ends of the starter pauls damaged, broken off?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

Are the ends of the starter pauls damaged, broken off?

no they dont appear to be broken. i did lose one of the springs but i replaced it.

 

[F_R]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

Lost one of the springs???? Does it have three little springs on the pawls? If so, that is not the original starter for that motor. But I assume it probably should work ok. If I am correct, I would guess that it is assembled incorrectly. Lots of people do that. Lets start off by identifying for sure what you have.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

i talked to the previous owner and he told me he had replaced the starter. it came off an older motor. but that was several years ago and it has worked well. i have the same version on my 1963 28hp.under the spindle the cup has 3 notches where the pawls go in and 3 springs between the cup and the pawls.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

just a note i have another starter from a johnson that is the correct one. the spring is broken and the pawls are missing. am i correct in assuming that even though the pawls come with the little holes for springs, none are needed? i was trying to see how it works. there is a ring that is not flat. it has a wave in it. do the pawls rest under this ring? when i look at the parts breakdown it does not show the ring. it just shows the bushing, washer and spindle.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

good news when i opened it up i found out that this spring was sprung. i reseated it and it now works. thanks for the replys.

 

[F_R]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

good news when i opened it up i found out that this spring was sprung. i reseated it and it now works. thanks for the replys.

Yep, you discovered what I was about to tell you. That equalizer spring, equalizer ring, and spindle must all be preassembled before inserting it in the pulley. Otherwise, it either won't work, or will bind up when you tighten the spindle screw.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

Yep, you discovered what I was about to tell you. That equalizer spring, equalizer ring, and spindle must all be preassembled before inserting it in the pulley. Otherwise, it either won't work, or will bind up when you tighten the spindle screw.

it must have been ok before because i have been using it for 3 years. maybe the shock of the rope snapping back dislodged it?

 

[F_R]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

If you say so. But I doubt it. I'd say you just got lucky if it worked. Many, many people have made that mistake in assembling those things, and they won't be the last. That basic design was used on most Evinrude and Johnson motors for about 20 years.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: evinrude 40604R rewind starter problem

the good thing either way is it seems to be working now. also by taking it apart i learned something new. some people tell me to buy a new motor, but enjoy working on the ones i have. it is nice to repair them and see them run after.