Help - 6HP Seahorse recoil rope replacement

ichapica

Recruit
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
3
I need some help....

I have a 35+ year old 6hp Johnson Seahorse 50th Anniversary motor. Had a hard time starting it, pulled over and over, and eventually the rope broke. The rough starting is a new and a whole other issue.

Is replacing a rope easy to do or should I pay some one?

I can do basic car repairs, never tried boat motors.

Also, what kind of rope to get? If I end up taking it somewhere how much should I expect to pay to have a pull-rope replaced.

Sorry for all the questions. Never owned a boat motor. First time problem... be gentle with me.

Thanks
Mike
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Help - 6HP Seahorse recoil rope replacement

Replacing a recoil rope isn't all that hard, but it's really hard to describe in words. To do it, you should have the manual for your outboard. They're available here.

However, it shouldn't cost all that much to have it done at the shop. The hard starting is another matter, though. That will cost more to have done. If you're going to work on it yourself, you will definitely need the shop manual for your motor. In that case, you'll have the instructions you need to do the recoil rope replacement.

Money or time. That's always the issue.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: Help - 6HP Seahorse recoil rope replacement

The rope is now part # 772579, 1/8 inch nylon starter rope. The rope they sell at the lawn mower place or hardware is durable enough - #4 Nylon. If you get the rope at the dealership, ask him about service bulletin # 1276. It revises the number of turns when rewinding the starter from 16-1/2 turns to 12-1/2 to prevent breaking the spring.
 
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Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
4,714
Re: Help - 6HP Seahorse recoil rope replacement

As said rather more difficult to describe than to do. Personally i would not dream of paying someone to do it. Learn how to do it. You might have to do it one day out at sea or somewhere .

I assume it is a vertical thing with pinion on the top that engages with the ring gear on the flywheel similar if not identical to the one in THIS DIAGRAM which is for a 1970 model.

(Not the type where the recoil mechanism is on top of the flywheel)

What you have to do is to turn the assembly to wind up the spring, hold it with one hand fit the new string with the other two! then slowly release it so that it winds the string onto the spool . You have to judge things so that there is enough tension in the spring to wind the string in properly but not over-tensioned so that it comes up too tight when the string is pulled.

Problems are that as you wind the spring up to start with the pinion is always trying to engage with the ring gear. You've got to prevent it doing that of course. The other is getting the spring tension correct.

I have looked at mine to see what is involved but I have not actually done it.

I don't remember how easy or difficult it is to thread the end of the string through and secure (knot?) it to begin with. Look at that first.

The string is just plaited nylon cord about 4mm diam I would guess, maybe only 3mm but see what will fit the spool. I guess you'll need about 2m. But you've got the old bits to measure.


WHATEVER YOU DO do not unbolt things and let that spring escape!

If you are OK with cars sorting out the starting should not be difficult. Start with plugs and points (Its got points if is 1978 or earlier then no 6hps until about '84 then they were CD) inspect the coils as well.

If ignition OK and you get a good spark look as carb with a view to strip and clean. You'll need a kit for that unless you are good at re-using old gaskets!

Have fun. All part of the joys of boating.
 
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