A question only Garry can answer?

[kevinrude]

This question is a follow up to my article in the last Antique Outboarder about the differences between the Eas-A-Matic and Simplex recoil starters. In my article, I mention that you time the starter such that the arrow on the starter lines up with the box marked "E" on the pulley. Subsequent to penning the article, I found out that some starters came labelled with BOTH an "E" and a "J" with the "E" meaning Evinrude and the "J" meaning Johnson. So, if you have an Evinrude, you time the starter to the "E" and if you have a Johnson, you time the starter to the "J".

Here’s one twist, however. A member sent me pictures showing a starter with two boxes. One labelled with the expected "E" and one labelled with a "JE". What does the "JE" mean??

Here’s a picture.

As always, thanks.

P.S. The member who sent the question to me says that the starter looks just like the one in the 1959 parts manual for both the 10HP and 18HP motors.

[kevinrude]

Wow, 130+ views and no answers!!!

I am tempted to just call the "JE" box just the "J"or Johnson box, but it sure looks like it was put there on purpose. My only other guess is maybe you time 10HP Evinrudes to the "E" and all Johnsons, plus 18HP Evinrudes to the "JE". Seems reasonable, but only a guess.

[Mumbles]

I figure the separate J and E were because of the hood designs and where the pull handle is in relation to the starter housing with the cover on or off. It didn’t matter on the classic Johnsons but when you put the hood on a classic Rude, you have to pull the starter handle out a bit to engage the grommet on the rope with the hood. This changes the timing in the housing which is done on a bench with the starter rope wound fully in. The JE mark might be for later Rudes which don’t need the rope to be pulled out when installing the hood.

[garry-in-michigan]

You made the right call Mumbles . . ., . . 😀

[frankr]

My real world experience is that it really isn’t all that important. Get it somewhere in the area and don’t fret about it. Who says the flywheel is going to stop in the correct place each and every time? If it doesn’t grab on the first opportunity, it will grab in less than half a pulley revolution on the next opportunity. Yeah, it would be nice if it always grabs on the first opportunity, but anybody going to promise it will?

Your experience may vary.

[jeff-register]

Frank,
Want to gamble on where the Roulette wheel stops in the same place?
Jeff

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