Big Twin Correct Starter Identification

[johnyrude200]

I have a 1957 Johnson 35hp that is being converted to electric start. I have the flywheel and starter bracket, but am trying to identify the correct starter.

According to parts books the 18-40hp starters are all compatible, but I have found that a 18hp starter does not line up or fit into the OEM big twin bracket.

The part numbers I’ve pulled from my original parts books is 376850 (1957) and 380239 (1967 28, 33, 40hp).

Any recommendations on where to buy a replacement starter. On M.E. the ARCO 5376 seems like it is probably a ‘newer’ style 18-40hp starter which would not bolt on correctly to the older 1957 bracket, but I have not tried this yet. Didn’t want to go buy the thing just to find out I’m back where I started with the wrong starter not bolting on the bracket.

Thanks for the help.

[frankr]

I suspect you have a 25-30hp bracket (6-volt). Either that or you are attempting to bolt a 6-volt starter up to a 12-volt bracket. Anyhow, therein lies the difference. The bolt spacing was changed for the 12-volt starters.

[frankr]

The starter bracket for your ’57 Johnson is kind of hard to find, because it needs the pointy stud to hold the shroud. Only used 1957-58. Evinrude/Gale brackets will fit, but do not have the shroud mount. ’58 Super Sea Horse and newer use different brackets yet because they do not have air silencers.

[johnyrude200]

Frank,

I think you’re right. The bracket I have is off of another red big twin (circa 1956-58). The starter was a donor off a 18hp probably early 70’s.

So the big question – I have some dead 28/33/40hp motors behind my shop here with good starters. Can I just pull the bracket and starter off of one of these motors and transplant….will the bendix marry to the flywheel of the 1957 big twin?

Thanks

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by johnyrude200.

[frankr]

johnyrude200 wrote:

Frank,

I think you’re right. The bracket I have is off of another red big twin (circa 1956-58). The starter was a donor off a 18hp probably early 70’s.

So the big question – I have some dead 28/33/40hp motors behind my shop here with good starters. Can I just pull the bracket and starter off of one of these motors and transplant….will the bendix marry to the flywheel of the 1957 big twin?

Thanks

See my notes about the various brackets lacking the shroud pin and/or the provision for air silencers. As far as I know, the Bendix drives are not a problem……as far as I know.

[outboardnut]

I don’t know how cost effective this would be but-
Can a non functioning 6 volt starter be made into 12 volts?
This way Johhnyrude would be able to use a 6 volt bracket with a shroud pin

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by outboardnut.

[outboardnut]

So would it be safe to say that the only bracket he can use is from
ANY 1957 Johnson 35 hp
and 1958 Johnson 35 hp RDE-19
Part number 376885
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-1958-35-hp-OMC-Johnson-Outboard-Starter-BRACKET-RDE-19-0376885-NOS-NEW/283130329336?epid=13023218718&hash=item41ebe1f8f8:rk:24:pf:0&checksum=28313032933623b554cdbc3742598a14357cea529baf&enc=AQADAAADEFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduV0XaIu9hbV%2BBsJkp%2Bid6bsQdlc5%2BpkwD8%2BlSuRLt12Us6LEkD86oEXMYhYEDmPY76u6aaL%2BkqsfGhok27OGVhXJiCjYLuZVFFpWRTHvCJINBqbFdOKwiaDPrXyXoPvCkqkVu%2BP4J%2BW%2FWQ7UxCk5Twbzf9cuxgbCjzv43QYxszFAG8V21x1qfeuCz0rPzPZlk2W6lRxMbjgCW3OQW0qo3GO3L4IcEXzYLwhBgTSnNPfIvPR6QjbTcwj9SGnMTjaxPR8bgJ5p0XJWb5%2Fny4ivfCijEbPGvvIqoAgsHZq7n5WFMWT%2FomLlc51lFu0nYQnlmz4k8IYB6%2FvZA5XBTWR3f7HgAcx3kZR9MsYgV5ynE4Mcl9KXWWFJtTRgYT6Ag%2BWw%2BQ7%2FVB46PMbhleZY2mnSVoE621P9V2Nd7itmJgPORWD%2FUzHBuTsuQUgRQroYI01qUcPVTD18BqdPeyl%2FLarp7Z0dshah7RftjrQzYhcbSRYzHJwcE5NK5uhp9l4%2Blw4HqYXf9ZcJUnPA449%2BLa7MBz5UuIVFIux8R1ZWt7YuSdu0gDWw71OAOi8wtQ1o3yeHgIBdldq5DcbtOalKneT9OKbqCvTC3VLhgqKvDh9JSbT6Yhgm98IgvfhtWwZQIbA05iu9Auozrduj3SZinYDeHk%2B9EMwmrwa6e2C6puW96psI09dMlasFCjZDO0Pq%2FxYphgV7K%2F4cjr6hW4i5j23ob97MlMp1IpQEOpjDqxNqKClJ0dqBUlAyhc7Lii521WT9T80AYwieaPr3sT1ngKKo%2F7UPL4WN5Q5%2BxOQBP855uQ2TmiRFMFgdaoUoIo38m1j7Aq6%2F%2F0Su6dlxWn8yWmrQfeHkt3ftrfXLcc6qGE9qiUmEkcoYHXZYkZRBessq2p1AoBmIXs73Wsw7XoWNIH%2BX%2B6A7PGbLh1oIi8UQGJotIkvxZfSshOwX28BaJjlnN1mxOb8KM1MzXLDLndMR40Atrz2IQYED45N7STzVE%2B83EOrps%3D

[outboardnut]

Is there an easy way to tell the difference between a 1950’s Johnson 6 volt starter bracket and a 1950’s Johnson 12 volt starter bracket????

[frankr]

You can run a 6-volt starter on 12 volts. Just run it for sort bursts. That’s the way you should run a starter anyway. You can tell a 6 volt bracket from a 12 volt bracket by the spacing of the starter bolt holes, but I’m not smart enough to tell what they are supposed to be. On the other hand, some brackets will have four holes (two wider than the other two). That would be a 12 volt bracket. Finally, yep that e-bay one is the one he needs. Kind of $$$.

[johnyrude200]

I already have the 6-volt bracket. The original starter has a narrower mounting screw diameter than the newer 12 volt version.

Am I missing something here, is there a 12V version bracket for these motors?

In other words, I have a bad original starter, just looking for a replacement.

PS – LOTS of fun trying to reply to this post on my iPhone using the new website (being sarcastic…it’s a horrible experience).

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by johnyrude200.

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