1972 Johnson 6hp - Recoil Unwound

Dear Profs,



I would like to ask you for help.

My problem is that I do not

know how to reset the recoil starting

system. I have old 6R72D with long leg.

I plan to clean the carburetor and since

was to able to unscrew one of the screw

I decided to dismount the recoil part.

After removing the top plate the spring

just uncoiled and there is no spring force.

I have to reset all the recoil system

but do have no clue how to do so...



Please, help me with the problem.



With regards,



Mirek Kanka

Re: 1972 Johnson 6hp - Recoil Unwound

You probably already know that you can start the motor without the recoil start, by using the start rope inaserted into the slot at the top of the flywheel. You can get a breakdown from one of the parts sites on the internet, to see how the parts are oriented . You will need to with a large screwdriver turn the center shaft about 12 turns counterclockwise, and with your other hand use a screwdriver to lock the sprocket against the flywheel, so that you can insert the starter rope. Your best bet would be to get a ffactory manual for that motor. marvxyz1

Re: 1972 Johnson 6hp - Recoil Unwound

(Manual Starter Cord Installation)
(This pertains to the vertical type of Manual Starters such as the 9.5hp and later 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7 - Allow the cord to be withdrawn slowly around the spindle.

Re: 1972 Johnson 6hp - Recoil Unwound

Dear Profs,

Thank you for your feedback.
But is seems that I still have a problem.
The problem is that I can not go further
as instructed since the spring's external
anchoring end can not find anything to be anchored
to. Internal spring's anchoring end is put into the
spring RETAINER as it is shown at

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/1972/6R72D 1972/REWIND STARTER/parts.html

But the other one, the external ( outher ) is with
no place to anchor and when the RETAINER is rotated
with the screwdriver, as instructed, the spring and
the whole SPOOL rotates but no spring winding
is really achieved, since the sping is sliding around
within the SPOOL.
My question is how the external ( outer ) end of the
spring is anchored in the starter under discussion.

For clarification I attach photos I shot yesterday
when I was fighting the problem inspired by
your answers.

With regards,

Mirek K.

/home/jedrasik/Desktop/640.zip

Re: 1972 Johnson 6hp - Recoil Unwound

The outer spring is retained in the curved slot in the lower retaining plate. It's hard to tell from the pics,but if that outer spring end is "swollen" or not at a right angle to the inner tine, it may not be usable. Grasping the spring by itself, see if you can pull 7 or 8 coils down and hook the curved outer tine into that slot. It should go completely into that slot with the end of the spring tine protuding through . Twist the spring ccw and it will hook itself into that slot. When you get this to work...place the spool with the retaining slot over the inner tine and turn it ccw...it will "catch" as the tine slips into that slot. Hold ccw pressure on the spool as you put it back into the upper plate and mount the upper plate..be sure to get the metal rod into it's well on the upper plate before tightening the screws all the wayIf you can now produce any spring tension while twisting the spool ccw by hand...all is good and you are ready to rewind it. If the spool just spins...start over...either the inner or outer tine has slipped from its retainer....best of luck...it's an aggrevating cuss.