Wiring up and general understanding of a west bend 500 50hp

1959 Wacanda

Recruit
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
1
Just bought a new to me boat. its a 1959 Wacanda and it came with a west bend 500 50hp motor. model # 50561 serial # 4395. This is my first ever boat. I have a huge fear of them and long story short im at my face the fear point. so i went out and bought me a beauty, but she is basically a shell with a motor on the back.. First things first i wanted to see if it ran. unfortunately their is no key (or ignition for that matter...or any wires out of the motor besides the positive and the ground wire...) i em a auto/diesel mechanic by trait so i knew not to just hook up a battery and start poking wires. so i found this website read a old thread on here from like 2011 about wiring it up but i dont know about magnetos or rectafires or anything boat motor specific.. so what im asking is if someone could teach me about magnetos and fectafires do. As well as how i can fab up a custom steering setup. Is my motor a 2 cycle so i have to mix my gas? ill post some pics on the boat and so you can get an idea of where im at. sorry ive never been around boats or know much about them at all. if someone could lead me right i would greatly appreciate it.
 

Jiggz

Captain
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
3,909
There's quite a few Chrysler experts on this forum, unfortunately I am not one of them. You will just have to wait until one of them gets to read your post. I'm posting this so you do not feel ignored and at the same time bring your post up top of the list. Goodluck.
 

byacey

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 20, 2005
Messages
443
I can tell you exactly how to wire it, but I need to see a picture of the wiring on your particular motor.
 
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