Johnson Evinrude Outboard Motors 1956-1970 1.5-40hp repair manual., Page 374Get this manual
HAND STARTERS
marks on the engineWhat is actually happening, is the engine is stopping with either the top piston at TOC (top dead center) or the bottom piston at the TOC positionNow, assume the engine has been operating at idle speed and then suddenly stops for any number of reasonsThe problem is corrected and the engine is once again ready to be startedTwo notches are manufactured into the inside diameter of the flywheelA single dog on the pulley engages with one of these dogs when the rope is pulledNow, if it is necessary to pull an excessive amount of rope before the dog is able to engage the flywheel, full starting rotation power would not be available in the ropeTherefore, the starter is timed to engage the starter with the flywheel after the rope has been pulled exactly the same amount each timeThis distance is very short to allow as much rope pull as possible to rotate the crankshaft for fast startThis "timing" will assure an adequate amount available for starting AND that one of the pistons will return to TOC when the pull is completed, if the engine fails to startIf an excessive amount of pull is necessary before the flywheel begins to rotate, the starter was not assembled properly the arrow on the pulley was not aligned with the two marks on the starter housing when the spring is relaxed and the rope handle is retracted