1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

[Big Jay]

Well it happened.

I picked up an oldie for $100, and it's in fantastic shape for it's age. Except the starter.

It seems the rope let go from the anchor, and now the unit is locked and only moves 1.5" or so before stopping dead.

According to the manual at boatinfo.no I need to disassemble it and repair/replace the spring. But I can't get the spindle to let go from the center of the pulley. The bolt came out fairly easy but the spindle seems fused in place.

Is it as simple as hitting it with a rubber mallet, or am I missing something? I'm dying to check the compression but I can't until this is remedied.

Thanks for any advice on this guys....

J

 

[nahoo7]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

i am fixing a 1960 evinrude big twin 40 same thing cant check compression till I fix pull start you may still have tension on the spring.My spindle would not come out until I released all tension on the spring.I had to add more rope to allow the spring to fully unwind then the spindle came out I popped it up with a flat screwdriver found the little pin on the bottom of the spindle was broken hoping a new one will fix mine.good luck.

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

i am fixing a 1960 evinrude big twin 40 same thing cant check compression till I fix pull start you may still have tension on the spring.My spindle would not come out until I released all tension on the spring.I had to add more rope to allow the spring to fully unwind then the spindle came out I popped it up with a flat screwdriver found the little pin on the bottom of the spindle was broken hoping a new one will fix mine.good luck.

Hey thanks Nahoo...

My issue is I can't release the spring anymore because the pulley locks in both directions. Just a dead stop after an inch and a half or so of play.

 

[nahoo7]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

okay then being new to outboards myself you may have to try tapping it out with a hammer after all.maybe if you can get a screwdriver in from the top of the assembly and work around the bottom of the spindle until it all drops out spindle and all.The manual suggests the safest way is to have the legs of the assembly facing down as this will contain the spring as it lets go and unwinds and where gloves to avoid injury.cheers.

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

I still haven't managed to get the spindle out or to unlock the recoil itself here, is anyone able to help on this matter?

I may have to start a new thread with a different heading....


Thanks guys...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

So you have the recoil off of the motor, and it is seized, will not pull or nor retract?

I was going to ask where Rutherglen Ont was, but googled it, you are a tad far from me. Was going to say just bring it over and Ill rebuild it for ya.

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

So you have the recoil off of the motor, and it is seized, will not pull or nor retract?

I was going to ask where Rutherglen Ont was, but googled it, you are a tad far from me. Was going to say just bring it over and Ill rebuild it for ya.

Hey again HighTrim,

Rutherglen is definitely a little far to come from for a visit lol. But I wish I could.... sounds like you could cure my issues.

Yes the recoil is off the engine but I don't think it's seized, I can pull it out about an inch and a half or so and the spring does begin to tense up as I do so.... but then it's like I hit something inside like a stopper or something. My first thought is something broke inside, but I can't get the spindle to let go, it's like it's fused there or one piece with the recoil housing or something. So I can't even get it open to see what's going on...

I'll post some pics of the unit in question in a little bit for clarity. It's in real nice shape, making me think it's not seized...

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble


So here's a few pics of the new addition to the family... I love her already lol

Under the hood she's in pretty gleaming shape, I was told it had one owner before the guy I got it from bought it. I envision an old man with a spritzer full of oil spraying it down every season end...

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

BTW, it does retract a the amount it will let me pull out as well... forgot to mention that.

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

HOLD THE PHONE !!!!!!!1

OK, I got the spindle out... a little rubber mallet goes a long way lol

Will post my findings soon !

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

That is an eas a matic starter. They need the exact length of rope to operate properly, and need to be timed.

If you need more info on this let us know.
Good luck!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

Great motor you got there Big Jay. One of the all time greats, in fact. Looks like a '58. Gotta love the reverse two-tone pint job. Here are some great links to help you keep it running for another 50+ years. You can get any routine parts you may need right here at iboats. Good luck. Holler if you get stuck.


http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_E-FD_15_18hp.html

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377515/37751500001.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index6.htm

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

That is an eas a matic starter. They need the exact length of rope to operate properly, and need to be timed.

If you need more info on this let us know.
Good luck!

Thanks again man,

I simply used the original rope and the timing worked out to a quarter of an inch shy of where it should be on the mark beneath the the pulley. The pawl seems to grab no problem so I hope it's ok, what do you think?

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

Great motor you got there Big Jay. One of the all time greats, in fact. Looks like a '58. Gotta love the reverse two-tone pint job. Here are some great links to help you keep it running for another 50+ years. You can get any routine parts you may need right here at iboats. Good luck. Holler if you get stuck.


http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_E-FD_15_18hp.html



http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377515/37751500001.htm

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/max/index6.htm

Thanks Kfa, I'm in love with it already, it's got lines like a cadillac lol. The compression checks in at 119# top cyl. and 114 bottom cyl.. I have spark on both leads after a quick points adjustment through the peak hole (gotta love not having to pull the flywheel), and I hope to con the wife into freezing a while with me tonight in the rain to try it out on the lake

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

sweet! make sure you run 24:1 mix which is about 5.5 fl. oz. of marine 2-stroke oil to 1 US gallon of 87 octane gas. here are some vids of other 18/20 hp to give you an idea of what to expect. she should push most boat 14' and under about 15-20 mph, depending on the set up. hold on tight! Good luck. keep us posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tPc3SkIX2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teYIoPOR3h4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_JGQn4wbE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWEUrfp61OI&feature=related

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

OK...

So I guess the rope must have snapped in mid pull, and the pulley rewound out of control. The outer loop on the recoil spring was warped and was catching the housing preventing it from spinning more than an inch or two.

After a little muscle from my pliers, I re-shaped it and got it all back together and it seems work to just fine

It wasn't as complicated as I thought it would be, I can't wait to run it...

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

glad you got it. you can even remove the starter assembly and use a rope. there should be a notch in the flywheel itself that you put the knotted end of a rope into. here's a vid: (start around 1:30 mark) (ignore the funny accents in the first vid. you know those aussies )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofE9x5iyVsw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR3ZXNs3zB4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBjX_rx3ZV8

if all else fails you can get a used pull start assembly online for about $20-$30 and just bolt it in place, but it may be a different color.

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

glad you got it. you can even remove the starter assembly and use a rope. there should be a notch in the flywheel itself that you put the knotted end of a rope into. here's a vid: (start around 1:30 mark) (ignore the funny accents in the first vid. you know those aussies )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofE9x5iyVsw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR3ZXNs3zB4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBjX_rx3ZV8

if all else fails you can get a used pull start assembly online for about $20-$30 and just bolt it in place, but it may be a different color.

Well thanks again Kfa, and thanks for the vids too !

I'll be sure to post how she runs, might not get to do it tonight though...

 

[Big Jay]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

Well, I said to hell with it and went and tried it out tonight anyway.

I have some issues...

After priming the pressure tank and setting the needle valves to their starting positions, I pulled the starter about 10 times and she finally kicked. Two more and I had her running. Seemed to be good at first then began running rough, as if on 1 cylinder... then definitely on one cylinder.
So no problem that's something I can fix. I put into reverse to give the lower unit a try and away from the dock I went. Still running a little rough, but running.
It was then I put it into forward and it happened. Nothing:facepalm:. Absolutely nothing at all. No grinding or trying just no reaction at all.

So now I guess it's time for my first complete tear down and rebuild of a lower unit.


On the bright side... the recoil unit works just fine now

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1958 Johnson FD-12 Starter Recoil Trouble

Dont worry yet.

Open the port on the side of the leg and ensure that the shift rod is attached to the coupler properly. The detent should line up with the hole in the coupler before installing the bolt.

Lift up and down on the shift rod with needle nose pliers. Now spin the prop by hand. Does it engage gears?