Question about my outboard motor

[craveman85]

I'm not too familiar with points type ignition systems. I have a pair of 63 homelite 55 4 cylinder 4 stroke outboards. In their ignition wiring there's a high/low switch. Any idea on what this could be for? I'll post up a wiring diagram picture when I find the correct one. Of course it could be something to do with the rectifier too. There isn't really a good source of technical data on these motors and the very few people who do know about them take forever to respond if they do at all. Tried all my boating forums with no replies. Maybe you guys can help. Basically these outboards are a stroked 44" crosley car engine turned on its side. I've got it running great and they sound awesome. They'll also idle down to 700 rpms all day and burn no oil. Love these things.

 

[HackFabrication]

Pics!!!!! I want to see some pics of these!!!

 

[craveman85]

This is the one I'll be using. Cleaning it up at the moment. The boat belongs to the guy I got the motors from.


My spare also running now.

Cutaway view.
And just for giggles the 59 mercury mark 78a 70hp "dockbuster" it will be replacing. This motor is direct drive. Always in gear. To run in reverse it shuts off and the distributor rotates and the whole engine is fired backwards. Not efficient or user friendly but cool as hell.

 

[craveman85]

Oh here's that diagram


The high low switch on the right side midway up the page.

 

[craveman85]

In 66/67 Fisher pierce the company that owns Boston whaler bought them out and changed the name to the bearcat 55. They were heavier than a comparable 2 stroke and not very popular although reliable and efficient. Fisher pierce stopped production and discarded the tooling in 72 before the gas crisis.

 

[HackFabrication]

Very Nice! Love that old junk! Gonna be a biotch finding parts? You got two of them? Double Nice!

 

[craveman85]

Very hard to find parts. I actually have a couple of parts motors that aren't complete as well. I'm also hoping 2 more are still available after Christmas. They're dirt cheap but about 8 hours away.

 

[craveman85]

Very hard to find parts. I actually have a couple of parts motors that aren't complete as well. I'm also hoping 2 more are still available after Christmas. They're dirt cheap but about 8 hours away.

 

[craveman85]

I don't think I like anything that isn't obsolete.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

My SWAG on the high-low switch, it's for altitude.
Suggest you carry a spare set of points and condenser with you at all times.
LG

 

[craveman85]

I'm starting to think it may be something to do with a vintage regulator. Hopefully when I find the part numbers it will be converted to a pertronix electronic ignition.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

After seeing the diagram. I think it's for start up. Notice how it routes to the rectifier?
For some reason-That diagram didn't show for me when I made that post.
LG