Yesterday, on July 5, I am happy (understatement – ecstatic would be more appropriate) to report that this entire project has been successfully completed with the help of this thread – and all of you. I am now 74 yrs old and have never as much as changed a sparkplug on an outboard motor, and you have talked me through this entire project with great results. This includes:
1. Successful conversion to electric start from the dash (from rope pull), which required new flywheel, choke solenoid, starter bracket and starter, replacement of the float bowl on the carb to accommodate mounting the choke solenoid, a complete hand made wiring harness hardwired to the motor, a junction box in the boat, and another harness to the dash.
2. Remote throttle and shifting system (original Johnson)
3. Remote drum cable steering system including pulleys, drum, tension springs, clamps, guides, etc.
After checking and double checking the wiring a hundred times, we took a one hour long cruise with it yesterday mated to my 1957 Lyman (17′), which has now been totally restored. The motor not only started on the first try (2 seconds of grind), it purred the entire time, at extended idle, as well as full throttle. The entire range was tested and only minor tweaking of the hi/lo needles was needed.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the help found in this thread, and just wanted to let you know how great it feels to have reached this milestone. Thank you! 😀