Mercruiser starter

[EVENING OUT]

Hey all. I figured I'd pass on this bit of knowledge on mercruiser starters. I have a mercruiser 5.0 (305). It's my first season with it. After a few trips out one of my starter bolts sheared off in the block. After several attempts to remove with no success I spoke to my buddy who is a professional car mechanic. As you know or may learn the mercruiser 5.0 is a small block chevy. Luckily the starter bolt that sheared off was the one closer to the block. GM did me a favor and gave me 2 factory starter bolt locations on the inside towards the block. Therefore I was able to get a mini high torque race starter with a straight instead of staggered bolt pattern to easily bolt up. I'm back in action. Hopes this saves someone.

 

[RaceCarRich]

Yep, some (not all) SBC blocks have both.

Was your race starter marine rated? Pretty important.

 

[alldodge]

Agree with Race, if its not marine rated don't use it

 

[EVENING OUT]

Not sure if it was marine rated. I used a hitachi starter from amsco. AMSCO#: [FONT=&quot]VS-19695. If it's not marine rated what would be the risks?[/FONT]

 

[RaceCarRich]

Risk is explosion. Marine rated doesn't create/expose sparking to the surrounding air as a source of ignition.

 

[alldodge]

Contact Amsco and see if they can advise

 

[tpenfield]

I don't see anything in the product literature that indicates those starters are marine rated ( SAE J1171 is the spark suppression certification ) . . . So, that starter may be a ticking bomb. Best to get it out of there, because if they were SAE J1171 certified they would say so in the product information.

 

[alldodge]

BTW, many have snapped off those bolts and in most cases I have seen that removing the bolt is easiest by using a left hand drill bit. Get the center and center punch it, then just let the drill bit bite and back it out

 

[stonyloam]

If it is a perminant magnet gear reduced starter it Should be OK for marine use.

 

[EVENING OUT]

Ok, I appreciate the advice. I did contact the manufacturer. Have not heard back from them yet. Any suggestions for starters to use instead?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pertronix came out with a line of marine starters

http://www.pertronix.com/prod/new/details.aspx?ID=171

about $250 from Summit Racing.

 

[Bondo]

BTW, many have snapped off those bolts and in most cases I have seen that removing the bolt is easiest by using a left hand drill bit. Get the center and center punch it, then just let the drill bit bite and back it out

Ayuh,...... I've got more than a few of these operations behind me now,....

No reason to prick-punch the center of the busted bolt,....
A 1/2" of a 3/8" wooden dowel, center drilled is the ticket,....
The dowel fits inside the area of the hole, before the threads start,....
With a left-handed drill bit chucked in a right-angle battery drill, slip the bit into the hole in the dowel, 'n drill away,....

As ya say,... most times(Every time for me so far) the broken bolt just backs out as soon as the drill bit cuts into it,....
But,...
If ya gotta drill it for an easy-out,....
Drill ALL the way through it, it'll come out easier than if ya just drill a pocket for the easy-out,....

 

[gordo9742000]

Was the rear support bracket on the starter? Not all of them have it. Dont know why. But the ones I have seen broken off some one did a starter swap and left it off.

 

[EVENING OUT]

It did not have it. I was looking to put one on, but I don't have one and I don't think the mini starter will accommodate it. I am still stuggling to find info if that starter it a ticking time bomb or not. I do have a blower system in the motor cavity to de-fumigate exhaust. Anyone else have any input?

 

[MBAKER]

If you find out that starter is not marine rated then I would suggest replacing it right away like others have suggested. If there is ever and explosion and someone gets hurt or even just a fire and property damage guess who will be on the hook for it....

 

[EVENING OUT]

ok, so I finally got an answer. This is what I got.
OBB Sales Team Member

One moment while I check that for you.




19695 does not specify it's for marine use. Just high performance.




Yes, its a PMGR




permanent magnet gear reduced starter

So I am guessing I am good to go?

 

[Claytonpa]

Please help someone. I have a 2000 5.7 L 350 that has the staggered bolt pattern and the back bolt did the same thing. I can’t get it out without pulling the engine but do have both options for starter bolt pattern. I found a starter online that says it’s for the 350 with that bolt pattern but it says it’s for a 1986. I really don’t have the funds right now I’m sure to pay someone to pull the motor. There has to be a solution with have it the other bolt pattern available. Please please please help!! Thanks

 

[trikeman72]

If you find out that starter is not marine rated then I would suggest replacing it right away like others have suggested. If there is ever and explosion and someone gets hurt or even just a fire and property damage guess who will be on the hook for it....

Figure insurance company gets wind of it being non marine they won’t pay out either

 

[JASinIL2006]

@trikeman72 , you're responding to a topic from 2017, so I think they probably have worked it out by now.

@Claytonpa , wecome to iboats! It is not only against forum rules to reply to old threads, but you're also hijacking someone else's thread. Best to start your own topic fresh and let people answer there.