Did I buy the wrong starter?

[film842]

In the picture you can see my existing starter (the big one) and a brand new one which I bought last year as a backup.

What struck me is the difference is size, with the new starter being so much smaller in the barrel than the other. I have been unable to research the new one...the numbers don't match up with anything available on this planet. So much for ebay starters I guess.

The obvious answer is to install it and try it I suppose, but even if it worked, I'm not sure I would feel confident that it would last.

So I guess this is my question. Does the size of the starter have anything to do with it's working ability? Thanks.

 

[dennis461]

Re: Did I buy the wrong starter?

Motor design have improved resulting in more efficient motors, which can then be reduced in size to provide the same horsepower. Or in our cases, seahorse power

here are some other findings.
E30 M3 Starter FAQ
PMGR Starters - Junkyard Builder - Car Craft Magazine

 

[insttech1]

Re: Did I buy the wrong starter?

I agree that newer starters have more power and smaller overall packaging....

That said, however:
The housing is thicker, and has a lip all the way around it.
Does it fit??
Does it need longer bolts??

And it might be an awesome replacment....HOWEVER....if you can find NO info on it from the manufacturer, etc....and this is an emergency backup for getting stranded somewhere.....then how much of a real ebay bargain is it???

 

[mandmj]

Re: Did I buy the wrong starter?

make sure it is a marine starter. The difference beween automotive and marine starters is sometimes just a shroud (which could make it look bigger). This keeps the starter from igniting gas fumes in the bilge when it is engaged.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Did I buy the wrong starter?

your existing motor is a direct drive motor (big armature, lots of amps). the other motor is a PMGR (Permenant Magnet, Gear Reduction). its literally a smaller motor with a gear box. it turns much faster, however has the gear reduction to make the torque. Pulls less amps, weights much less. Both will spin the motor over to start it. one works by directly grunting the engine, one does so thru a gear box

If they are both marine starters, both have same mounting flange, number of pinion teeth, and are the same voltage, then they are interchangeable.

 

[film842]

Re: Did I buy the wrong starter?

Thanks for the replies guys. I just learned a lot about starters.