Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

[Grant Brown]

What is the difference between a Mercruiser 4.3l marine starter and a 4.3l automotive starter?
I know that the marine unit has some sort of spark arrestor. Can I take the marine parts and put them on an automotive unit?
Locally a reman marine starter is about $260 and I can get a reman auto unit for $90 plus core.

Grant
Vancouver, BC

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

It wouldnt be worth swaping parts over. Like in your other sentance, there is a built in spark screen on the marine units. 260 is alot for a marine starter Canadian or not. Iboats (This site) has them for the 4.3 for about 140 (us)bucks.

 

[jrolland]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

What is the difference between a Mercruiser 4.3l marine starter and a 4.3l automotive starter?
I know that the marine unit has some sort of spark arrestor. Can I take the marine parts and put them on an automotive unit?
Locally a reman marine starter is about $260 and I can get a reman auto unit for $90 plus core.

Grant
Vancouver, BC

DO NOT under any circumstances put an automotive starter in your boat!!!

There is a reason why marine starters are more expensive. I am not sure on the specifics but they are made in a way that prevents sparks from igniting the fumes from the gas. So to make it easy to understand you could blow yourself plus the boat sky high!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=290714&highlight=marine+vs+auto+parts

Above is a thread, that you might want to give a read. I use a guy DBelectrical.com he sells starters and alternators marine and auto.

I lost count how many, i have bought for myself and friends and i get pm's from people here that have used him. 60 bucks delivered i believe for starters.

5-6 years on the one i got from him and still going strong , in saltwater, i paint them black 3-4 coats, just a tip.

Good luck !

 

[Bondo]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

Can I take the marine parts and put them on an automotive unit?

Ayuh,....

Only if they started as the Exact same starter,...
And,..
Only with COMPLETE Disassembley...

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

I had mine rebuilt by berger electric and he only charged me 35.00 compaired to235 for new all components from original were replaced still marine grade.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: Marine Starter Difference on 4.3l merc

Thanks for the clarification on the marine VS automotive starters.
As total fluke luck would have it, shortl after I posed the question, someone put an ad on Craigslist for a 4.3l Mercruiser OEM starter. Brand new - the guy sold the boat that he bought it for. He lives only about 15 min away.
I paid $150 for it and he threw in an impeller kit and an outdrive gasket set for free. He has a Mercury Alpha 1 Gen 2 - 700 page shop manual for $40 bucks too but I didn't have the cash with me.
Gotta love craigslist!