Re: Ignition on 45 hp chrysler
First off, "Non Illegitemi Carborundum"--Don't let the bastards wear you down. Don't let the naysayers convince you that the engine is no good.
Chrysler made the 45 just about every year they were in business, so they probably made about a million of them. You can find running engines and junkers all over--you just need to be persistent. AND, some parts are still available--you just need to know who to ask.
Now: you didn't say if you engine was magneto ignition but I will assume that it is. Battery ignition will also be the same start circuit. stop is slightly different. Only major difference is that it has an alternator and two coils on the block.
It sounds as if you have multiple problems associated with age.
First, it sounds like you have a solenoid stuck in the closed position and that's why the engine cranks when you connect the battery. Give it a shot or two with a hammer handle to see if you can't jar it loose. If that doesn't work, see if you can find another one cheap--it is a standard part and was used in almost every electric start engine over 35 hp. Before you replace it though do one final check. Disconnect the red wire from the switch. Now connect the battery if the engine cranks, it is definitely the solenoid. if the engine now does not crank, the switch is bad.
Next, you will see a pair of black or brown wires coming down from under the flywheel and connecting to the blue and white wires on the engine terminal. This is the stop circuit and it shorts the points, stopping the engine when the switch is turned off. If you disconnect the blue and white wires and get spark, then the switch is bad. If you get no spark, then the points are corroded and/or the condensers are shorted. You need to pull the flywheel and check the points and condensers. There are two of each--replace if necessary. Points can be cleaned with 200-400 grit sandpaper. Re-gap points to .020 with rubbing block on the high spot on the cam. This spot is centered on the keyway. If battery ignition, it will still have points. Check to be sure the wires going to the coil terminals are not corroded or broken and check to be sure the plug wires are fully seated in the coils. Blue wire for battery ignition is power to the coils and points ground the negative side of the coils. So to check the switch, after setting points, connect red to blue. If you now get a spark, the switch is bad.
The switch is standard and you can probably get one right here at iboats. However, if you still want to bypass it, buy a momentary push button single pole switch and connect red to one terminal and yellow to the other terminal. Pushing the switch will engage the start solenoid. For choke, buy another momentary push button swutch and jump red to one terminal and connect green to then other. pushing the button will engage the choke.
