Starting with bump-starter ?

[skijunk]

I'm working with this donor boat (1987 Citation ) and I want to fire the engine before I remove it. I installed a new battery, made sure it was in neutral, hooked up the kill switch, turned the key and nothing. I tried jiggling and moving the gear selector back and forth trying to find a point where it would fire with no luck .
Are there any safety switches I need to bypass to be able to start with a bump-starter?

Thanks !

 

[muskyfins]

As always, it's helpful to know what motor you have.

Never the less, the key would be making sure the drive is in neutral. After that, for test purposes, I don't see what a bump starter would hurt. Might burn up a solenoid, but sounds like you're planning an extensive overhaul anyway.

Please note this will not give you a diagnosis of why she won't fire. That's a lot of electrical to troubleshoot. And she might not run if there's a problem with the ignition system, but you'll get here to crank if you're looking to check compression or something.

Again, it's called a bump starter not a cranking starter. Be cautious.

 

[skijunk]

As always, it's helpful to know what motor you have.

Never the less, the key would be making sure the drive is in neutral. After that, for test purposes, I don't see what a bump starter would hurt. Might burn up a solenoid, but sounds like you're planning an extensive overhaul anyway.

Please note this will not give you a diagnosis of why she won't fire. That's a lot of electrical to troubleshoot. And she might not run if there's a problem with the ignition system, but you'll get here to crank if you're looking to check compression or something.

Again, it's called a bump starter not a cranking starter. Be cautious.

It's the mercrusier 4.3 (2 bbl) and I am only using the engine so whatever electrical issues there are in the boat will stay in the boat. I am transplanting this engine into my '98 Tahoe even if I have to rebuild it. I can scrap enough from the sterndrive and trailer .to warrant the deal.

thank you !

 

[NHGuy]

There's a remote solenoid right on top under a little protective black rubbery cover. You can jump the starter there. It's a little behind the carburetor and to the port (left side)

 

[skijunk]

There's a remote solenoid right on top under a little protective black rubbery cover. You can jump the starter there. It's a little behind the carburetor and to the port (left side)

Great ! I was hoping there was a solenoid to jump from.
I really do appreciate all the help I am getting here.
Thanks !

 

[Bondo]

and I want to fire the engine before I remove it.

Ayuh,...... Hook up the battery, run a jumper wire to the coil's (+) terminal, supply gas, 'n water, with another jumper, touch 12v to the tiny terminal closest to the block on the starter's solenoid,...

To shut it off, remove the jumper to the coil,....

 

[skijunk]

Ayuh,...... Hook up the battery, run a jumper wire to the coil's (+) terminal, supply gas, 'n water, with another jumper, touch 12v to the tiny terminal closest to the block on the starter's solenoid,...

To shut it off, remove the jumper to the coil,....

This is actually the information I needed. I realize that if I don't have ignition which is the problem, it's not gonna start even if I cross the solenoid. I haven't tinkered with engines in 10 years or so and I have forgotten things like this.
Thanks ! All of this is helpful

 

[skijunk]

I dragged the old donor boat out, jumped a hot wire to the coil and one the the starter like Bondo said to do, cut the fuel line and stuck it down into a water bottle I filled with 2 stroke mixture of gas, cranked the motor over with a shot of starting fluid and it cranked right up... runs like a top! I got lucky ! I let ir run for a few minutes on the hose to see what it would do. It revs up fine and idles right back down. I got the tools out and removed the engine in about an hour
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The bad news is the port side exhaust manifold is leaking water. It has about a 3" long crack in it and looks like someone tried to epoxy it. Is there an epoxy I can use to fix this or do I need to replace it ?

thanks for all the help !

 

[Bondo]

or do I need to replace it ?

Ayuh,.... That's the proper plan of action,....