TOPIC: What is this and what does it do?

Besides keeping the engine from being pull started .
Also the engine will not crank but I suspect that has to do with the spaghetti by the junction box.
The other picture is of the recoil starter flywheel where the pawl tore it up and the switch on the side of the engine. PS the manuel is on order.

The 2nd photo is the Vacuum switch. All it does is ground one coil if the motor over revs (aka broken sheer pin or not in gear)

Down by the cowling on the throttle linkage is a mercury switch to keep the motor from starting (elect starter) if the throttle is to far open.

There are items missing on the motor, or the wrong recoil is on a 56 or older motor. There should be a unloader leaver going from the opening in the rewind to the head

Thanks
I found out the upper picture lever is the recoil startlockout. It keeps you from being able to pull start it if the throttle is too far open. My throttle was closed so I readjusted it to where it would allow me to pull start it up to about 1/4 throttle. I will have to re-adjust once I get it running correctly. The way it was it was always locked out no matter where the throttle was.
I still have not been able to pull start it though. I am a wimp (lol). I also found out the starter motor is open. It has no continuity whatsoever. This cheap boat is getting more expensive "buy" the minute.
I did get the impeller
Where is the hidden bolt located at to remove the lu? I looked around the trim tab but did not see a bolt/ nut or allen socket.

First there is a plate (Item 53 54 and 55) that you need to remove to get to the shift linkage and remove one (the upper or lower) bolt. I spray paint my linkage red before removing as to see where it was for going back together.See

Then there is on bolt that is to the back of the LU. (look up in front the water intake) See blue line lowest photo

What year is this motor, for more info would be helpful

Thanks
It is a 1963 Lark with selectric shift. At least the shift solenoids ring out okay at about 8 ohms each.