Best marine starter for a small block V8?

[Devil_Inside]

I need to purchase a new starter for my Mercruiser 5.7, part number 50-863007A1. Is there anything better on the marker than the OEM Mercruiser one?

 

[NHGuy]

No the Mercruiser one is the gold standard, they rarely fail unless dunked.
There are others out there for way less money.
I did the cheapest marine one on my last boat. My OE 25 year old Mercruiser starter had gotten wet when I had a bilge plug come out. It worked fine for the next 3 years before I sold the boat.
I cleaned up the factory starter and saved it. It's fine now, sitting in my shop collecting dust.

 

[Bt Doctur]

just the smaller, lighter PMGR one

 

[Bondo]

just the smaller, lighter PMGR one

Ayuh,..... Exactly,..... 1/3rd the weight, Twice the power,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

remember, the starter originally came on the engine from GM..... it was a Delco Remy starter long before Mercruiser or Volvo put a part number on it.

 

[Devil_Inside]

And who makes a reliable, marine PMGR starter? Can you give me a part number?

The ultimate goal is to find something that lasts because I don’t want to have to do this again anytime soon. The motor is currently out of the boat, but once it’s in, access to the starter motor is very limited.

 

[oldboat1]

I would look up the ARCO website, and make a call to their helpdesk. I've had very good luck with their starters.

 

[Scott Danforth]

And who makes a reliable, marine PMGR starter? Can you give me a part number?
.

there are two types of starters for GM motors (not counting the pure in-boards), the old direct drive wighing about 35#, and the PMGR weighting about 13#.

and there are two configurations of starters, those for a 153 tooth ring gear and those for a 168 tooth ring gear. one has straight across bolt pattern (for the 153 tooth), one has the staggered bolt pattern (for the 168 tooth).

sometimes the starter may say for a 12-3/4" flywheel (153 tooth) or for a 14" flywheel (168 tooth), or they may say for a 10" clutch (158 tooth) or an 11" clutch (168 tooth).

so if you want part numbers, simply use google and type in 158 tooth marine starter or 168 tooth marine starter

DB electrical has chinese made delco knock-offs
Arco has US made delco knock offs
Delco Remy made the original starter
Pertronix has a chinese made variation of a McLeod starter
Ford makes their own starters (not applicable here)
Prestolite is US made, including some of the marine starters in the past.
Bosch makes a great starter with global manufacturing
Denso makes a great starter with primary manufacturing in Japan
Lucas makes starters that will leave you stranded.