bad starter

[BlairWhitney]

have a 1977 mercury 700. turn key to start and all I hear is a click at the starter, and the starter smokes a little. pulled the starter off and touched it to the battery real quick. sparks at the positive terminal but does not even try to turn. can not turn it by hand at all. pretty sure it is shot but wanted to post before I drop $180 on another starter.

thanks

 

[redjmp]

Re: bad starter

Well it sounds like it is seized for sure.
Since it sparked, the electrical is probably fine.
If it is off a saltwater boat, maybe the bilge filled up at some point and got into it in which case it is probably a goner.
If it is off a fresh water boat, maybe try shooting some pb blaster into it and try to take it apart.
Maybe you can free it up with a little more than just hand strength...

 

[BlairWhitney]

Re: bad starter

wow, quick response, thanks. think i will get a new one to get up and running, then tinker around with this one. never hurts to have a few spare parts

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: bad starter

A rebuild kit is only 35.00. If it smoked it probably got hot enough to melt the insullation off the windings. If that happens it's toast so you will need to replace it.

 

[wired247]

Re: bad starter

A used starter of ebay shouldnt set you back more than $50-$60