pull rope length

[mossygo]

Hey guys, just bought a 69 johnson 20horse but the guy had problems with the rope. It broke once, he took it to a mech and they put one on, that one broke, then another and that broke. He said it wasn't catching at all and thought it might be too long so I'm looking to get a pull rope and I'm not sure how long it needs to be for my motor. If worse comes to worse, I have an identical 68 20 horse that I can problably use the rope from but I'd rather not.
Also, are they pretty simple to replace? Thanks in advance

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: pull rope length

needs to be 70 inches, 3/16 diameter rope. if you have ever done a recoil on at lawn mower, very similar. watch out the spring can do some serious damage.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: pull rope length

Get about 10 feet of rope...you won't use that much, but you'll have extra. It will only take so much. Most important is not jerking it all the way out when you're starting it...that's what strains/breaks pull ropes...and eventually your shoulder, too.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: pull rope length

I figure it like this...

I'm 6' tall and my total reach is 6'. So I use at least 6' of rope. I only use less if the motor can't take that much. That way I should never be able to pull the rope all the way out and break it.

Also when starting, pull the rope out slowly until it engages the starter. Then give it a good pull.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: pull rope length

specs say 70 inches, that's 2 inches short of 6 feet.

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: pull rope length

The correct and needed legnth is 72 1/4 inch to be exact, 70" is too short.(wbeaton is correct he remembers the guy with hard to pull johnson and needed both feet on transom to start) alittle more complex than a lawn mower.The TIMING marks are critical to do this properly. Here are the needed steps to do a rewind starter correctly:

1. Pull the rope out completely to unwind it from the pulley. Lock the pulley in place by inserting a rod or screw in the small holes of the housing.

2. Remove the rope anchor and rope from the handle.

3. Pull the old rope out from the pulley end.

4. Cut a new nylon rope to 72 1/4 inches and fuse the ends with a match to keep the strands from unraveling.

5. Tie a knot in one end of the rope and feed it into the pulley.

6. Thread the other rope end through the rope handle and position.

7. Tug on the handle a few times to firmly seat the anchor.

8. Release the pin and allow the rope to unwind slowly onto the pulley.

9. Pull on the rope a few times and check the timing. Timing is correct if the arrow on the housing points within the limits of the box on the pulley.

A new rope may not seat correctly at first and will throw timing off.

I cant stress enough on the length and the timing marks , your motor will turn-over hard if you dont . The omc engineers were working on the pysics of leverage to make it work. I hope this helps you out and may want to copy and paste.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: pull rope length

just quoteing BRP Direct 0204085 ROPE, Length 70-3/16 in. 1 Legend Dealer Install Only

 

[ezeke]

Re: pull rope length

If we are going to get picky, 204085 ss 772578 is 7/32, not 3/16.

 

[56 rude]

Re: pull rope length

looking at the service manual right now,says 1966-70 20 hp 7/32 at 75 3/4 inches.

 

[mossygo]

Re: pull rope length

alright, now I'm confused. Guess I'll see what works best.

 

[ezeke]

Re: pull rope length

The confusion comes in part from the current listing on the BRP parts site for your motor: http://shop.evinrude.com/

The original information most used is from SB 1244 and is thumbnailed below.

Note that in the service bulletin the rope just above the one for your motor is 70-3/16" long.

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: pull rope length

thanks ezeke for eliminating the confusion,i was under wrong year. your correct.! most important is the alignment of the timing marks and may want to check for burrs or sharp spots that the rope life could be shortened. cheers

 

[D.spencer]

Re: pull rope length

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but is there a chart that shows pull rope lengths/sizes for all engines? I have a 1977 140 Johnny and while it is far from being rope start, it is capable per the flywheel design. I noticed that there is also a small plastic pouch on the inside of the engine cover that I'm guessing once held such emergency start rope. Now, what I find amusing is that they expected that you could start this thing with a pull-rope.( I guess if you looked like Charles Atlas)

 

[mossygo]

Re: pull rope length

Was trying to figure out to replace the pull rope on the new motor by pulling the rope housing off my other one and wouldn't you know it the whole housing fit the other motor. I don't know why I didn't think of that before, instead I went to 4 stores this morning trying to find the right pull rope. Thanks goodness for spare motors.

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: pull rope length

I replaced the pull rope on my 57 18 horse the other day. And since laingsoutboards.com only lists a 3/16" rope I went to the hardware store and got a length of 3/16" braided nylon cord. It had the same look as the original but it was obvious that it was just slightly smaller. It bugs me, looks too flimsy. Plus after I got it replaced and threaded through the anchor just the way the original was, it pulled right out of the anchor second pull. I got it to stay after that ok by doubling the cord in the far end of the anchor. But of course now I need a new spring .

Are you saying you went to four different OMC/BRP dealers and none had the right size (7/32") cord? Or did you go to hardware stores? I plan to get a couple of the correct 7/32" cords for both my 18 horse and my 10 horse one of these days. Plus a new spring.

Cheers......................Todd

 

[ezeke]

Re: pull rope length

PN 772578 7/32" cord is #7 Starter rope at the hardware store & some dealerships.

PN 772578 5/32" cord is #5.

PN 772579 1/8" is #4.

OMC/BRP does not stock 3/16" #6 cord, per the Service Bulletin and other sources.

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: pull rope length

Ezeke wrote;

"#7 Starter rope at the hardware store"

Hehe well they may have it at hardware stores on Cape Cod. But not in Sandy, Or. I wish! Maybe if chainsaws used that size cord........ Hmmmm! that gives me an idea! Off to the Stihl/Husqvarna dealer a bit later.

Thanks for the info.

Cheers................Todd

 

[ezeke]

Re: pull rope length

To Sea18Horse: 7/32 #7 would usually be for larger motors than a typical small lawnmower so it may not be stocked in your area. It will be stocked by marine parts dealers because it is used on many different brands. Try some dealerships in your area code: http://dealerlocator.evinrude.com/EN/?Rnd=1172157085156

Just pick the third choice, then enter your area code or zip.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: pull rope length

I've been buying mine at the hardware stores for years.

 

[jspringator]

Re: pull rope length

How can I tell if the rope length of my 1975 25hp is right? It is an extermely hard to pull. I bought it used, so I can't vouch the rope is the correct length. It requires 2 hands and a foot on the transom.