1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Vintage Boat Guy

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Ok, to start off with this is not from an outboard,but it is from a 1968 OMC snowcruiser with a OMC motor. I'm trying to figure out why when I pull the cord, the dogs don't pop out and catch. This set up has no springs and has a ratchet that it is supposed to grab. Can anyone tell me how this works? How to fix it?
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Have you opened it up yet to see if the shoulder is assembled correctly?
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

I've had it apart more times than I have fingers( and I have all of them). It seems as if the dogs are not coming out and if they do only one does so it skips.
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

This set up has no springs and has a ratchet that it is supposed to grab. Can anyone tell me how this works? How to fix it?

How it works: If no springs and using 3 metal pawls, the spindle is inserted into a nylon bushing, the top of which flares out into a large washer. A portion of the pawls sit between that nylon washer and the cup/wavewasher above it which is also on the spindle. As the pulley is rotated, friction applied to the pawls between the cup and nylon washer cause the pawls to extend... the same friction causing the pawls to retract when rotated in the reverse direction.

How to fix it: I would need to be there.... a part missing, something upside down?
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

It used to work fine, then I had to repair the spring that makes the recoil rewind, did that in the cold, in boots and a snow suit, on the kitchen table.
 

nwcove

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

taken from the ebs site....... "To remove the
starter, first remove handle grip and
tie a knot in pull rope. Remove the two
retaining cap screws and lift off starter
unit.
To remove the rope, remove the two
bolts holding housing together and lift
off spring housing and pulley unit. Cut
new starter rope to a length of 73^/4
inches. Wrap around pulley in clock
wise direction while holding spring
housing. Pre load spring 22V2 turns
then reassemble by reversing dis
assembly procedure.
To renew the spring, remove "C"
ring on outer end of pulley shaft and
withdraw pulley, being careful spring
does not fly out and cause injury. Hook
inner spring eye of new spring in
spring pin near pulley hub and feed flat
spring coil out slot in rim of housing.
Reinstall pulley and '('" ring, then turn
pulley until spring is fully wound in
pulley recess. Allow spring to relax
then install pull rope. Renew other
parts as rec^uired while starter is dis
assembled. Lubricate spring, pulley"
 

boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Joe's description of how it works is correct. If it worked before you took it apart it sounds like you put something back together wrong. Maybe in the friction washer area.
 
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boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

NO! Completely dry. Only some light grease on the pulley spool area.
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Well That would be my first problem, I got the old beast moving by pull cord and drove it out in the field and every time I let off on the throttle it would threaten to die and I'd have to choke it and then shut off the choke to keep it running, does this sound like a crabby carb problem or frustrating fuel pump issue? It has a zenith Bendix carb on it and a fuel pump that is the same as a 60's 33hp Johnson.
 

boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

First question. Did you get the rewind fixed correctly ?? Sounds like a dirty carb from sitting over the summer.
 
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HighTrim

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Dirty passage, clogged filter, something like that.
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Didn't fix the recoil yet, dogs still won't come out, I've never cleaned the carb on it and it came out of the barn after sitting from 1976-2011, that was something I'd been putting off.
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Just got the recoil fixed now I'm starting on the carb, any pointers?
 

boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

What did you do to fix the recoil ??
 

boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Make sure you can find parts for the carb or be very careful when taking it apart. Does the primer still work on it ??
 
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nwcove

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

zenith carb? thought those all had tillotson carbs? either way, take pics and notes!
 

Vintage Boat Guy

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Never mind the recoil is screwed again, my primer still works but I replaced it with an outboard primer bulb as it is faster, right now its sitting out in the snow as the guy who "fixed" the recoil decided to take it for a ride and left it outside, no grease between the pulley and the post makes it seize up quick.
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

no grease between the pulley and the post makes it seize up quick.

Boobie told you in post reply #9..... "Only some light grease on the pulley spool area.", meaning Do Put some grease on that area between the pulley and the spindle. Did you miss that?

On the graphic below, note that the pawl(s) go between the flat portion of the cup washer and the nylon bushing. The method of putting the starter together bollows the graphic.
80_SpindleAssy_zpsb1be1d2e.jpg



(Manual Starter Assembly)
(This pertains to the type of Manual Starter Housing that sits over top of the flywheel)
(J. Reeves)

Lay the manual starter housing upside down on the workbench.

Wind the spring "counter clockwise" in your hands so that you can lay it into the housing, having the outer spring end hooked over the retaining pin. Make sure the spring is in there properly (You do not want it to fly out of there).

Holding the spring down, with pliers carefully bend about 3" or 4" (more or less) on the inner portion of the spring in towards the center of the housing. This will allow the pulley pin to enter the retaining hole at the end of the spring properly.

Lay the pulley down over the spring, making sure that the pin on the pulley is secured to the retaining hole on the end of the spring. Install the spindle (center bearing gizzmo), bolt, nut, etc, whatever your particular manual starter may use.

The cord (nylon) should be roughly 72" long. Have a figure 8 knot in one end. Heat the other end so that you could form a point on it, wiping it with a rag when it's burning or hot to a melting point.

Now, with the starter housing still upside down, keeping a firm grip on that starter housing and also the pulley, start winding the pulley in the normal counter clockwise direction. Wind it as far as it will go, then carefully let it back off until the starter pulley cord hole is aligned with the housing cord outlet.

Hold the pulley there and insert the cord in through the inside of the pulley and out through the starter housing. Pull the cord through completely and get a good grip on it. Now let the pulley retract the cord, but hold onto the cord (don't let it fly in there).

If it's obvious that the cord is too long, figuring what will be needed within the handle, shorten it as needed.

Pull the cord out so that about two feet of the cord is exposed. Tie a slip knot so that the cord can't retract back.

Insert the cord into the handle and secure as needed, then release the slip knot allowing the cord to be withdrawn fully. That's all there is to it..
 
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boobie

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Re: 1968 OMC Recoil Problems

Are you saying he didn't put any lube on the spool ?? Do you have enough tension on the rewind spring ??

Wish you were here as I could probably fix that that thing for you in 15 minuets. I used to work on them and remember them well.
 
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