Johnson 6hp Rewind Starter Reassembly

[Putzaroni1]

So I've gone through this forum and everything else I can find but am just not getting this.
I found Joe Reeves' instructions as follows:
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(Manual Starter Cord Installation)
(This pertains to the vertical type of Manual Starters such as the 9.5hp and later 4.5/6/8hp models etc)
(J. Reeves)

1 - Have a pair of vice grips handy set so that they will grab the top of the starter spindle tightly but will not damage it.

2 - Using a large screwdriver inserted into the top of the starter spindle, wind the starter in a counter clockwise direction 12 to 14 turns, stopping so that the cord locking slot is facing the away from the engine.

3 - Lock the spindle in that position with the vice grips, letting the vice grips lay against the flywheel.

4 - Insert the cord as needed and make sure it is retained properly at that slot.

5 - Feed the cord out the starter cord hole at the front of the engine and attach the handle.

6 - Grip the cord tightly so that the spindle cannot spin around rapidly, then release the vice grips.

7 - Allow the cord to be withdrawn slowly around the spindle.
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I had the starter off to replace a broken Leaf behind the intake manifold but upon reassembly, when I get to step 2 of Joe's instructions, It doesn't feel like the spring is catching or hooked in properly. I dropped the spring retainer plate down a bit to get the spring to go into the slot. I can't tell if it's catching or not but by eye it looks about right. I tighten the 2 lower bolts and try turning the spindle counter clockwise for 12 turns and it doesn't have any kind of recoil or back pressure.

Any suggestions on what might be wrong ? I really want to see if the leaf fixed it but need the starter working to test and use it.
Thanks.....

 

[Putzaroni1]

Sorry, the motor is a 1979 Johnson 6R79E

 

[Willyclay]

Try this link below.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Outboard Motor Related/OMC outboard related articles.html

 

[Willyclay]

I really want to see if the leaf fixed it but need the starter working to test and use it. Thanks.....

I have the 1973 Evinrude version and the flywheel has a provision for rope starting without using the recoil starter. I could be wrong but am guessing your's does also. That should let you try to start/check that beauty before you solve the problem with the recoil starter. Been a long time since I had mine apart and my old geezer brain just cannot pull up an answer to your problem. Sorry I cannot be more help but forum member Leeroy's website has lots of good info at the link previously posted and at the one below for your specific series motor. I'll play with mine and see if I can come up with a better suggestion for you. Good luck!

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/OMC_6hp.htm

 

[Putzaroni1]

Thanks Willyclay,
I have used Leroy's Ramblings a ton and it's awesome stuff. I read it again last night for this but it basically says that you shouldn't take it apart if you don't have to !! It says the spring can get bent or damaged. The spring looks fine from what I can see but I may be wrong. I tried a couple times again last night but must be missing something. I lower the Spring retainer plate a bit, drop the rewind assembly back into the hole with the tab on the spring lined up with the notch as close as I can eyeing it and tighten the bottom bolts on the spring plate. Once it's bolted up on the bottom I put the 2 top bolts back as well and using a screwdriver, screw the starter counter clockwise. It turns easily and just spins freely with no recoil.
If anyone has any suggestion on how to get the spring to lock into that notch, I'd be grateful. I tried it in the retainer plate out off the motor and it seems to fit and line up fine.

 

[AlTn]

from experience....if the upper and lower tines of the spring aren't at right angels to one another I couldn't get the notch on the rod to engage the upper tine...the lower spring tine once captured in the retainer plate is to live its life with only a ccw twist...the notch in the rod for the upper tine will find that tine w/o pulling the spring upward to engage it...always turning in a ccw direction...if you can't feel any resistance to winding go no further with assembly until you can...get the rewind cord leveling rod into it's hole in that upper plate before tightening those retainer screws or you'll risk cracking that upper plate...that's what I can recall from my experience with that vertical rewind

 

[Willyclay]

Another thought today was maybe some PO damaged something before you came into possession of that great old motor. I have the OMC factory manual for my 1973 and will scan the four pages from the recoil starter section so they can be attached to an email if you will PM me your email address. Maybe there is something in it that will help you find a fix. Good luck!

 

[Putzaroni1]

Finally I got back to this last night and it's fixed. Hopefully this helps someone else.
This is probably so obvious to most of you but I'm a hack ;-)
I saw that the part that sticks out on the spring wasn't down far enough but if you just pull the spring out of it's hole a bit, it sits down lower.
Once I did that I was able to get it to catch and followed Joe Reeve's instructions on how to wind the cord back on. It works perfect now.
Thank you guys.... You're awesome !!

 

[Willyclay]

Thanks for letting us know you whipped it. Now go enjoy that old beauty!