starting 59 johnson 35 without key

[Mic1227]

hi everyone,

last fall i was the winning bidder on a 73 apex boat with a 59 johnson 35 hp motor. this boat was donated to a childrens cause by a marina in NH after previous owner probably couldn't pay a bill or just never picked it up the owner of the marina could not remember and he had a big place with alot of boat there so that was understandable. boat came complete with trailer and even two fuel tanks but marina owner could not find the key. before i do much i would like to try to get it started and see how it runs. looks like coils have been replaced but i have not pulled the flywheel and checked point or condensor. the first thing i did last fall was drain and refill the lowwer unit just to be safe. my ignition is located right below my shifter and i was wondering if anyone could tell me how to hot wire this so i can try it out? i do have a new marine battery for it so set there. thank you for any help anyone can offer !
Mick

 

[F_R]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

Are you sure it is a '59? A couple of your comments make me wonder. Anyhoo, if it is a '59 there are 2 black wires coming out from under the magneto plate. One goes to the vacuum cut-out switch. From the vacuum cut-out there is another black wire going to the ignition switch. The other black wire from the mag goes direct to the ignition switch.

Disconnect either one of the wires going to the ignition switch. The motor will then start normally as if it were turned on. Of course without a key you will have to jump start it or hand crank it.

Do not disconnect the wire going from the mag to the vacuum cut-out. That one prevents runaway.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

Next step is to run over to the nearest Johnson/Evinrude dealer and just buy a new switch, which will come with it's own new key.

Before you go, take the old switch out, after making a diagram showing where each wire goes. You'll probably find letters on the old switch...just make a note about which colored wire goes to each lettered terminal. I like to make a diagram, too.

Take the switch to the dealer to help him figure out which switch configuration you need. It ain't cheap, but it's the best way to go...the least amount of worrying, and the easiest to reconnect.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

One more thing:

The big rectangular plug that is on the side of the engine is almost irreplaceable. It will be dirty and corroded somewhat. Get some contact cleaner from a parts house and spray both the female terminals inside the plug and the male pins on the outboard housing. Use pipe cleaners to thoroughly clean out the female sockets, and do whatever you need to do to clean the pins. It takes a while.

If you skip this step, you'll be very frustrated when the electric choke doesn't work and you have other difficulties.

Whatever you do, don't damage the connectors. They're hard to get, especially the one on the cable, and very expensive when you can find a good used one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

got my 58 35 fired up yesterday. sent $136. on points,coils,condenser, plug wire, plugs, impeller, fires 1st time no choke. like a new engine.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

If you remove that big black rectangular plug, you can start it with the rewind starter. You'll have to manually choke it with the lever by the carb to both start it and stop it. You won't be able to shut it off, but you can choke it to death.

I think the main reason that FR is confused is that those didn't have the key by the throttle/shift. The throttle and shift were separate levers and the key switch and choke button were on the dash. Of course somebody could have adapted a newer control to work.

Look for numbers on the face of the key switch where the key enters. If there are numbers there, you can get a key using that number.

Look for a model and serial number on the motor. On a 1959 it will be below the hood latch on a plate. Let's make sure it's a 59.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

go here and clik on 1959, then johnson catalog. http://www.old-omc.de/index2.html

 

[CATransplant]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

If you remove that big black rectangular plug, you can start it with the rewind starter.

You can, but I sure wouldn't recommend it if this is an engine that hasn't been started for some time, as it appears to be.

I used to start my '58 35 that way, once in a while, just to prove I could, but when it was cold, it would take three or four pulls. Even with the compression relief valves, it was a tough pull. Warm, it would start easily with the recoil.

When I first got that engine, the wiring was all messed up. What I did was put a ring connector on an old jumper cable, put it on the starter, then used another jumper set to connect to a battery away from the engine. Worked fine for getting the thing running initially.

I consider recoil starting on those big twins to be an emergency measure.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

i agree i can turn my 90 over easier than the 35.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

i agree i can turn my 90 over easier than the 35.

Does your 58 have the compression release valves and mechanism on the heads? They do make it easier to rope start, but not much.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: starting 59 johnson 35 without key

I actually prefer to disable the compression relief mechanism. I find that it pulls fuel better and takes fewer pulls. Although after 3 pulls, I'd rather pull a horse out of mud.