I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

[TwoBallScrewBall]

My starter was toast. After I flooded the boat out, the starter began acting up. It would take many attempts to get the engine to crank over. I decided to remove it and have it rebuilt. So I get all ready and have all the tools I'll need in the boat, slap on my latex gloves (my new best friends by the way, no more going into the office the next day with black fingernails and hands) and get to work. I turn off the battery switch. Then I put a socket on the main battery wire lug on the solenoid. SNAP. The entire connector assembly cracked off. OK so now the wires are taken care of. Let me get the starter off. Look for the short bolt. Nothing there but a hole. Odd. So I reach way under and find the longer bolt, and get it out. Pull out the starter and its a mess, and I decide that after 16 years it's time for a new one. Local OMC guy has one in stock so I grab it. Get it home not at all looking forward to installing it, when I open the box and look at what MUST be a motorcycle starter. It's tiny. But the bendix and mounting holes all look right. And the instructions say it's for a GM marine 3.0. So this must be a new 'permanent magnet' starter? I want to buy the guy who invented this thing a 12 pack. It was so light I could easily hold it up with one hand while starting the bolts with the other. <br /><br />So I get it all installed and wired up, and am sure it will crank slow. But no. It cranks faster than I've ever heard this engine crank before.<br /><br />What's the deal with these? Are the magnets just much stronger and therefore smaller, or is the electrical part different? How did they shrink it down so much. What's the main difference between the old starter I could have used as an emergency anchor and this new one?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

its a gear reduction starter. it actually makes more torque at the pinion than the old field coil motors. technology is great .

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

I didn't think it was a reduction model because I thought the gear reduction starters had the motor offset from the pinion? This starter, the motor is directly inline with the pinion. Does it use planetary gears or something like that then?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Sounds like a gear reduction starter to me also. I see a lot of those for high compression motors. Tiny little things and all that power.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

I want one!!! but the OMC mech said that my engine should not use one... 8-( so I got to get the regular slow one.... *pout*<br /><br />-JustMrWill<br />'87 OMC 4.3L 21' Regal Majestic CC

 

[Scaaty]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Originally posted by JustMrWill:<br /> I want one!!! but the OMC mech said that my engine should not use one...<br />-JustMrWill<br />'87 OMC 4.3L 21' Regal Majestic CC

I would think whats the diff as long as its a Marine starter

 

[Scaaty]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Originally posted by Steve Huminski:<br />[QB] I didn't think it was a reduction model because I thought the gear reduction starters had the motor offset from the pinion? This starter, the motor is directly inline with the pinion. Does it use planetary gears or something like that then?]

WE(I) NEED PICTURES..got a part number so I can look it up?

 

[recess]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Will this starter work in a 1976 140 hp motor?<br />What is the make and part number, pleassssssseeeee.<br />Thanks.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

It's an evinrude/johnson starter. I have the box in the garage still, give me 20 minutes and I'll return with the part number for you. <br /><br />If you're going to convert from the big old starter, the main battery cable post is smaller, so you will need to get the smaller nuts as the instructions say to reuse the old one but it does not fit. <br /><br />Be right back, gotta go plug a flat tire for the father in law.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Ok so 20 minuntes turned into 3 hours. Sorry!!! Wife and kid, need I say more?<br /><br />Anyway,<br /><br />The starter came in a Evinrude Johnson box, part number 0988217.<br /><br />Says "Starter Kit 4 Cyl" on it.<br /><br />Hope this helps!!!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Originally posted by recess:<br /> Will this starter work in a 1976 140 hp motor?<br />What is the make and part number, pleassssssseeeee.<br />Thanks.

Your motor takes the same starter, 988217, and sells for around $303.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Check in ebay motors. A guy sells GM permanent magnet, gear reduction starters for about $99 + shipping. I'm not sure what models they fit but you can email him.<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487166355&category=31284 <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487323887&category=31284 <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2487311838&category=31284 <br /><br />Email this third vendor. He was very helpful. I bought a mini ford starter from him, that he did not list on ebay.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

"bought a mini ford starter" <br />Boomyal...these Marine starters on ebay?

 

[achris]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Steve,<br /><br />The reduction 'gear' is a planetery gearset, that's why the pinion is 'in line' with the motor armature.<br /><br />Chris........

 

[seahorse5]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Be leary of buying starters for your boat from a non-marine source. Federal regulations require that enclosed gasoline engine use only ignition protected starters, alternators, etc. that meet UL specs.<br /><br />You don't want to be reponsible for a boat fire or explosion that would destroy property and possibly injure yourself, your loved ones, or other individuals.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

seahorse is No Doubt Correct.......<br />But,<br />By the nature of their Design,<br />Gear Reduction Starters Are Spark Proof.........<br />Automotive,+ Marine are Exactly the Same...........

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Bondo, is that because the motor is 'sealed' or encased behind a bearing and carrier? Or is there another reason?

 

[Bondo]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Yes,<br />Exactly........<br /><br />On the old style Starters,<br />There's a Single Steel Plate, mounted between the Motor,+ the Bendix........<br />That little Plate,<br /> IS the difference between an Auto Vs. a Marine starter..........

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

Wow, must be made of solid platinum then... <br /><br />I don't want to admit how much I paid the local OMC shop for the starter... Suffice to say it was at or near retail. <br /><br />Thanks for the info!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: I replaced my starter - Help me out here with a question

An electrical marine component will usually have a sticker that says it complies with the SAE J1171 safety standard for ignition protection.