1983 Evinrude 25 H.P. O.B.: Rope is hard to pull when attempting to start powerhead.

[Kevsmopar]

Hi everyone, I'm working on a 1983 Evinrude (Model: E25RCTE) outboard, currently having difficulty rope starting this O.B., rope is very difficult to pull. It feels like either timing is off making engine hard to turn; or something else I'm overlooking. I took off both Champion (QL77JC4) spark plugs from the cylinder head and tried again. This time it was a little easier to pull on the rope. This outboard has been sitting for over a year now, as I'm trying to get it ready to use on my 1965 14' StarCraft Marlin aluminum runabout. Here's last years photos of this 25 H.P. O.B. mounted on former owners boat. The engine runs as I have been able to get to start and run, with the lower unit submerged in water.

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[racerone]

Remove recoil and look for arrows on housing and sheave.------The sheave is eliptical to reduce starting effort. ---Parts must be timed correctly.----Easy to check.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Have you (or anyone else) installed a new cord on the manual starter, and if so... when?

 

[Kevsmopar]

racerone, I'll try that troubleshoot/adjustment just as you described; and will let you know how that worked out.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Joe Reeves, I haven't installed a new pull rope, but it does look pretty used up; and I don't know if the former owner replaced it either. I'll take a good look at the recoil/rope install new if necessary. Probably not a bad idea, since there's no electric starter.I'll get back to you with my findings.

 

[racerone]

See if the arrows line up with rope fully recoiled.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Gentlemen, I have a Seloc #1302 repair manual for this O.B. as well; will use if needed while following your guidelines. Thanks for your prompt replies.

 

[racerone]

I do not have that manual.---All I know is that OMC motors from the 1950's to your model have the elliptical sheave.----Simple stuff that is not well known.

 

[Joe Reeves]

 

[kbait]

Wrap a rope around the flywheel with recoil off and spark plugs removed, in neutral, and give it a pull. Should spin very easily. If its’s still stiff, remove lower unit and try again. If now easy, something’s up in gearcase.
Good luck!

 

[boobie]

Agree with the above !!!!!

 

[Kevsmopar]

Joe Reeves, Looking at that Figure 8.1, I'll check this out.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Kbait, I see your trying to rule out everything past the recoil, I'll try this out as well since it will give piece of mind on gearcase. Planning to reseal the gearcase later, after carb kit, fuel pump kit, water pump, tune up.

 

[jasper60103]

FWIW, I replaced the starter recoil and rope on this model . There's a thread here somewhere. It might be helpful.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Thank you, Jasper60103, going outside in a minute to begin troubleshooting following everyone's guidelines.

 

[Kevsmopar]

racerone, I took off the starter/recoil assembly and sprayed brake cleaner around alignment marks, to better see with iPhone camera. The arrow is about 20 deg. or 1-1/4" to the right of required span area noted in Fig. 8-1. in your earlier post. Rope is fully recoiled during my findings. See my newly created ideabook re: this post (Public-;photos attached) for your review.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Joe Reeves, you can see rope condition in newly posted (Public) ideabook Re: this post.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Kbait, after I pulled off the starter/recoil assembly w/gears in neutral,

w/spark plugs removed;​

(used a nylon fishing stringer, it's all I had at the moment, but it worked) gave that rope a pull and, WOW, that powerhead spun like butter. This is the kind of action I see on YouTube videos when the guys pull their rope starts. I'm trying to get this action on mine.

 

[Kevsmopar]

Jasper60103, going to look for that thread, hoping to just replace starter/recoil spring and call it a day; but I'm waiting to see what others have to say about that.

 

[Kevsmopar]

I’ve ordered a new starter/recoil spring, new 6ft. (7/32”) starter rope, and new handle as mine has cracked in multiple locations; I’ll update once new parts are in re-tested.