Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

[OMARiverRat]

Hey guys.... dealing with the problem child again. 93' Crownline, Mercruiser 454 (Not mag), bravo 1. Now the starter is out. I pulled the starter last night and took it to a local alternator & starter repair shop. The guy quoted me $110.00 for a new "Gear reduction" type of starter. Holding the gear reduction starter up to my existing starter, this thing is tiny! According to the man behind the counter, he said in order for this new gear reduction starter to work, a special type of gasket needs to be purchased to fill the gap between the new starter "Cone", and the bellhousing. Is this cover really necessary? From what I've read on previous posts, the gear reduction starters are completely sealed, regardless of their automotive or marine status. Plus, they have much more torque and less draw. The starter that I pulled off of the boat is NOT a marine starter, so I'm glad I took it off. Thanks everybody for your help...

 

[tommays]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

i dont see how it can be marine and be that cheep ?<br /><br />the list on one for a GM car is 300 dollars<br /><br />tommays

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Go for it. Here's one for starters (pun intended) Gear reduction is the better way to go.<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31284&item=4553921831&rd=1

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

In a car having a tight fit between the starter and bellhousing (and inspection plate) helps to keep gravel and debris away from the flywheel. On a boat, I don't think it matters.

 

[P.V.]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

It's not a "gear reduction" starter! It's a "new" permanent magnet starter. Lots of torque in a smaller package.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Originally posted by P.V.:<br /> It's not a "gear reduction" starter! It's a "new" permanent magnet starter. Lots of torque in a smaller package.

Huh?

You are bidding on a NEW 12 Volt . 1.4 KW Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction Starter for Mercruiser, and Volvo Penta.

 

[P.V.]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

There's one shaft, on the end of that shaft (armature) is the gear. The gear is "slung" into the flywheel by the bendix unit (the little thing on top), there is no "gear reduction"! Go look at an old ..... 75 hp Johnson starter/V-4 mid 60's OR any late model V-4 or V-6 Johnson/Evinrude. They have two gears prior to flywheel engagement, that's gear reduction!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

PV<br /> it is a gear reduction model. most all late model GM motors have them as do the looper V6 jonnyrudes of the 90* configuration. the automotive version is not an "inertia" type drive and uses a solinoid to move the starter bendix as well as making the connection from the batt terminal on the stater to the armeture. most outboad starters are of the single speed inertia drive. most auto type starters are not. most of the later DFI type starters and a lot of the larger 4 stroke starters are gear reduction type.<br /> OMARiverat<br /> if the pinion dia and tooth pitch as well as the bolt pattern are correct you will find the gear reduction starter is wonderful. the gasket in question is a foam gaasket that fits over the starter snout. some have them some dont. I think its listed in the mercrusier manual or call ARCO electrics. ARCO can supply them as well as the correct mounting bolts. my self I have used them evey chance I have since the mid-eighties. I am just happy the price has come down since my racing days .

 

[OMARiverRat]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Rodbolt-I ended up purchasing the starter with the foam gasket. The gasket set also came with 2 new bolts which are shorter than the original starter bolts. Everything bolted up perfectly, and installation was EASY! This new gear reduction starter is probably 1/3 the size of the starter I took off, and it weighs a total of probably 7 or 8 lbs. When cranking, it sounds like a new engine. Its amazing how much power they have crammed into such a small package. Just by means of installation, I recommend this starter to anybody with starter problems. Not only that, but these can be purchased for 50% less than a conventional marine starter from a local boat dealership. Thank you all for your help with this. Be safe & happy boating!

 

[P.V.]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Well. I'm not one to disagree... OK, I am. I have in front of me, a new Mercruiser starter. Looks just like the one in the post above. It's a permanant Magnet starter ...Cute little thing! The ONLY way it could be a "reduction gear" starter is IF the gear has a different number of teeth than the orginal starter!! I guess then you could then call it reduction/// But it IS NOT a reduction gear starter.. There's only one gear on/in the thing!! AM I missing something?? I'm not gunna arque about GM and the auto motive field (I had to go to the GM dealer last month to get the darn nuts for one and guess what the parts manager brought out?? A permanent magnet starter. With no "gear reduction".) Just like the picture and just like the one I have on my desk right now! Maybe I'm just too stubborn to understand! Have a good day!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Ayuh,........I Think PV's Got It Right,..........<br /><br />I Don't Care What the Text says,..... That's a Picture of a Permanent Magnet Starter in Boomyal's link..............<br /><br />This is a Gear Reduction Starter,.............<br />

 

[P.V.]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

Bondo, You/we are 'da man! Thanks for the picture!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

take it apart and you will see the gear reduction at the drive end of the starter armeture. if you look close you will notice the drive is not on the same plane as the centerline of the magnet housing.<br />the pic above is a permmanant mag(no starter field coils) gear reduction motor. its also not the quite the same as the factory GM and volvo style nor the arco style but its very similar to the units we used to light up big block chevies and olds with 11.5/1 and up compression ratios in years past. the GM and arco style units utilize a 3 gear planetary reduction. the unit in the pic I believe uses a spur gear reduction. the armeture shaft and drive bendix on the GM and arco style pemmanant magnent gear reduction units is on the same plane due to the planetary gearing. very similar to what is used in modern ,or at least the past 50 years, in automatic transmissions. chysler used gear reduction starters for years and years. thats what gave mopars that funny whine while cranking.

 

[tommays]

Re: Gear Reduction Starter on 93' 454

well what ever it is i want to no why they avoide claiming its CG aproved<br /><br /> or has and kind of number that can be traced back to a testing lab <br /><br /><br />they seem to be chinese copys that have not been tested by a aproved lab <br /><br /><br />tommays