Determining correct starter motor part number...

[MississippiMan]

I have a 1997 Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha I.

The starter motor is shot. I've pulled the starter only to find out that its some rebuilt piece of junk that obviously doesn't have the original part number, since its not the original starter to begin with.

So, I'm looking at the mercury manual, and searching for the two different part numbers that it says can be with the motor.

It looks most like the delco 50-99417A part with the straight across bolt pattern. The other thing it says is standard rotation, clockwise. I would assume the flywheel size would be key as well, but it doesn't mention anything about that.

Is there anything weird with the starter motors I need to be concerned with? Or is the bolt pattern, and the rotation all I need to look for?

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Determining correct starter motor part number...

Best way to find the proper starter is by the Merc SN from the engine.
Then you know you have the right one. You may have a 97 boat, but that doesn't mean you have a 97 engine and drive.
Then, I would suggest you get the OEM starter. Main reason is the OEM starter can use the front bracket to help support the starter. The aftermarket starters never fit, and with the 3.0L engines, I have had lots of problems with some aftermarket starters in the mid to late 90 hitting the flywheel.

 

[MississippiMan]

Re: Determining correct starter motor part number...

Awesome.

Looked up the serial number, found a site with the serial number lookup for OEM parts. Got the exact OEM part (it was about $35 more than the aftermarket stuff). You were also correct about the engine, it was actually a 96 engine.

Unfortunately that motor doesn't have the front starter bracket (its listed as an optional component in the service manual), I didn't notice a bolt hole for it either, but I didn't look that closely.

So I'm thinking that $35 is saving me a ton of aggravation. Thanks for the tip.