Reply To: Evinrude 7.5 hp – Hard to pull

[amuller]

You could try pulling it with the plugs out to see if there is resistance from something other than compression. Some of these motors have a clutch-spring setup on the driveshaft for protection from prop strikes, and these can expand and create high friction. I think this feature begins in 1958 so should not apply to yours, but possibly worth checking.

This seems obvious but can you pull the motor with your other arm?

Others will know the smallest motors that have been available with electric starting. In OMC it was the 15/18 hp motors beginning around 1956. Likely different more recently. I *think* Mercury once made a 7.5 hp electric start motor. Honda and others make 8 hp electric motors but they are neither light nor inexpensive.