TOPIC: pull start part WTB

1959 Merc Mark 35a

Does anyone have the part that goes on the top of the flywheel?
I am not able to pull start my motor and want to check compression.

There is no part for that. put your top on and fasten with no plug in it is easy to pull over.

It looks like you have an electric start.
You can leave the top hat off, or put it back on like Dave B says and use the rewind to do your compressions,...OR - either way, you can use your electric starter to spin the beast and get compression readings.
I have attached a picture of how to connect the battery and 'hot-wire' the starter motor.
If You do decide to hot wire the starter, be sure and disconnect the (2) yellow wires coming down from under the flywheel to the rectifier - IF your Merc has these (2) yellow wires. In my picture you can see the yellow wires coming down, but to a later model solid state rectifier. Your rectifier is mounted in the front starboard corner of the engine pan, and would be a set of thin disks, either square or round, and either green, gray, or red in color.
BUT,...Back in those days, not all electric start 4 cyl Mercs had this system to recharge the battery.
Disconnect the yellow wires at the rectifier and tape off the ends so they can't short out to engine ground.
doc

Another option... I was able to chuck up an appropriate socket on an adapter in my 1/2" drill and spin it over that way for a compression check.

Thanks guys.
Dave, what do you mean "there is no part for that"? The top hat is missing correct?

curse wrote:

Thanks guys.
Dave, what do you mean "there is no part for that"? The top hat is missing correct?

I think what he means is that you don't need any other parts, your top hat already contains the recoil start pulley and the starter pawls that spin out when you pull the starter rope, to engage the starter "ratchet" (the notched sheet metal piece that's bolted to your flywheel).

That's how it's supposed to work. You just need to make sure the recoil mechanism functions correctly when it's pulled; the (3) starter pawls should snap outwards when you pull the rope, and retract when you release.

Anyway, the challenge is to reinstall the top hat with the requisite spacers on the mounting studs, and give 'er a pull!

Hope that helps clear things up.........ed

correct. I use heavy grease to hold the spacers and washers on the studs. some people use small O-Rings to hold them on.

Got it. I thought something bolted to the 3 holes in top of flywheel. Oh yeah, a flywheel puller does! Doh

ed-mc wrote:

curse wrote:

Thanks guys.
Dave, what do you mean "there is no part for that"? The top hat is missing correct?

I think what he means is that you don't need any other parts, your top hat already contains the recoil start pulley and the starter pawls that spin out when you pull the starter rope, to engage the starter "ratchet" (the notched sheet metal piece that's bolted to your flywheel).

That's how it's supposed to work. You just need to make sure the recoil mechanism functions correctly when it's pulled; the (3) starter pawls should snap outwards when you pull the rope, and retract when you release.

Anyway, the challenge is to reinstall the top hat with the requisite spacers on the mounting studs, and give 'er a pull!

Hope that helps clear things up.........ed

Ed's right. Bet the recoil pauls are gummed up and not releasing.

Gummed up. I wonder if that is why mine would work after tapping with a rubber mallet. But finally tapping did not help.

most likely. spray it with WD-40 to clean and lube works most of the time.

Thanks. So far the easiest repair! A little brake clean removed gunk.