pull engine to replace starter?

[JackBronson]

I have a 1987 Starcraft 191s fiberglass bow rider with a Mercruiser 230HP GM 305 small block in it. The starter motor is on the underside of the motor toward the back. It got submerged in salt water and needs to be removed and rebuilt or replaced. The problem is that it really seems to me the only way this starter is coming off this motor is if the engine is pulled out of the boat, because there is next to no room down there. I can't even touch one of the retaining bolts, nor see it, never mind get a wrench on it.

When I explain this to others in the boating world (who haven't actually seen it), at least one of whom has actual boat repair for pay experience, I am met with "no way, they couldn't have made it that way".
So, I ask the experts here, have you ever seen a scenario where the only way to replace a starter motor is to pull the engine out of the boat?

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

LOL, yes, there are boats out there that need the engine pulled to change the starter, and some that need the engine pulled to replace the raw water pump, the fuel pump, and even the spark plugs. Boat manufacturers don't care what it takes for maintenance on the engine, they just want the layout to look nice.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I found it helpful to remove the exhaust manifold. You will still need to feel around for one of the bolts but it was possible to get to the starter without lifting the motor.

 

[888]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I pulled a starter off a 5.7 without pulling engine,it was miserable but doable. Get some thick foam and lay across the top of motor then reach down under starboard side. A 9/16 ratchet wrench if your starter is a staggered bolt pattern if not your gonna need a socket and small extension. Once unbolted I dropped the starter in bilge and pulled the starter out from the front of engine. Good luck it can be done but have plenty of patience.

 

[thumpar]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

That is more of a boat thing not an engine thing. Kind of like what Don S. stated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I have a 1987 Starcraft 191s fiberglass bow rider with a Mercruiser 230HP GM 305 small block in it. The starter motor is on the underside of the motor toward the back. It got submerged in salt water and needs to be removed and rebuilt or replaced. The problem is that it really seems to me the only way this starter is coming off this motor is if the engine is pulled out of the boat, because there is next to no room down there. I can't even touch one of the retaining bolts, nor see it, never mind get a wrench on it.

When I explain this to others in the boating world (who haven't actually seen it), at least one of whom has actual boat repair for pay experience, I am met with "no way, they couldn't have made it that way".
So, I ask the experts here, have you ever seen a scenario where the only way to replace a starter motor is to pull the engine out of the boat?

Thanks.

Ayuh,... Have ya tried Removin' enough Boat to get at the motor,..??

Pull some seats, or whatever's in yer way....

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

Post up some pics.........I am sure you will get some go idea's

 

[KC DREW]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I have a 1987 Starcraft 191s fiberglass bow rider with a Mercruiser 230HP GM 305 small block in it. The starter motor is on the underside of the motor toward the back. It got submerged in salt water and needs to be removed and rebuilt or replaced. The problem is that it really seems to me the only way this starter is coming off this motor is if the engine is pulled out of the boat, because there is next to no room down there. I can't even touch one of the retaining bolts, nor see it, never mind get a wrench on it.

When I explain this to others in the boating world (who haven't actually seen it), at least one of whom has actual boat repair for pay experience, I am met with "no way, they couldn't have made it that way".
So, I ask the experts here, have you ever seen a scenario where the only way to replace a starter motor is to pull the engine out of the boat?

Thanks.

Buy a manual for your motor if you dont have one. You can get them used for about $10. You can buy a little flexible mirror to find the bolts also and get the right wrenches with extensions and you can get it off. All used if you want. They make a tool for anything. You probably need to just take a few pieces of the motor off like manifolds ect but thats easy and you can get at where you need to. Post a pic of what your looking at and people will tell you what to take off to get at it.

 

[phillyg]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I can imagine a situation where you might have to pull an engine. My starboard motor has to be lifted just to change out the raw water impeller. I saw the mech go in with a couple of mirrors just so he could see where to put his wrenches.

 

[Don S]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I have replace many without mirrors or being able to see it. Some even takes two people to get to. But there are a few out there that have to have the engine pulled.
A couple I have worked on had the outside starter bolt almost touching the stringer. Now how do you remove that without pulling the engine?

 

[888]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

almost touching the stringer

Sounds like plenty of room.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I know on my bow rider I pull the fiberglass seat molding to work on the engine just so I don't have to put myself in those contorted positions and for the 10 extra minutes to remove it. Makes it worth it to be comfortable while I'm working.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

Unfortunately, you may very well have to pull the engine or, at the least, lift it a foot or so, just to get the starter off the engine, as Don said. I remember certain GM sportcars which had the same problem when it came to spart plug replacements - every 10k miles! We had to either partially pull the engine or, as we later learned, drill 2" access holes in the innner fender wells. You can't/shouldn't drill access holes in a boat, so pulling the engine may be your only choice. Don't forget to get an alignment tool to re-align the engine when you install it. Hy

 

[bruceb58]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

I know on my bow rider I pull the fiberglass seat molding to work on the engine just so I don't have to put myself in those contorted positions and for the 10 extra minutes to remove it. Makes it worth it to be comfortable while I'm working.

I have the same issue. I have to remove all the seating that is around the engine to remove the starter. That job takes 3 times longer than actually changing the starter itself.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

OK, here are the photos, in sequence (sorry you have to click to make large; couldn't figure out how to make the photos appear larger in the post).
The biggest access issue is not the exhaust manifold, it is the stringer and the design of the well. I can barely get my hand under the engine, and I've got no apparent space to use any of the joints of my arm once my hand is in there.

to take this seat assembly apart (which might allow me to lay on the floor of the boat to remove the starter) would require removing fasteners from old wood and makes me think I'd end up with a can of worms way wormier than just pulling the engine.


this space is about 3' square. in this photo you can see the stringer (covered in carpet) and then the well below, which extends to the edge of the bottom of the motor and is the white, also visible in the photo below.
I estimate there is 2 inches between the white stringer and the starter motor.

So, the things working against me to get at it are the back seat which I don't want to remove as it is old, the small space next to the motor, and the transom.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

from the pics, it looks like plenty of room. it does however look like you have to disconnect the starter, unbolt it and drop it in the bilge. From there, you fish it out. is there 4 1/2" under the motor (between the oil pan and bilge)?

now going back in, you will need to contort your hand to pick up the starter. I suggest some 1/8" nylon chord to help pick it up to where you can get your hands on it to to get it in place.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

Scott,

thanks for your reply. I would definitely not say there is plenty of room except perhaps for a contortionist! I can get my hand just past my wrist in the space. I had a professional whip up a cross section schematic of the setup.



in any case, there IS space in the bilge for the starter. my next concern is how to lift the replacement into place and hold it there while trying to get the bolts back in.

 

[Don S]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

That's a typical marine starter removal. Nothing major. Welcome to the wonderful world of marine mechanics. I changed one like that little over a year ago before I retired being a marine tech. Starters like that started taking over half an hour to replace. Probably being 65 had something to do with the slow times.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

That's a typical marine starter removal. Nothing major. Welcome to the wonderful world of marine mechanics. I changed one like that little over a year ago before I retired being a marine tech. Starters like that started taking over half an hour to replace. Probably being 65 had something to do with the slow times.

So Don, you are saying it can be done without pulling the motor? I'm 20 years your junior, and I am not excited about the prospects of this project...

 

[Don S]

Re: pull engine to replace starter?

Of course it can be pulled. All you need is the right tools and proper positioning of the body (Usually painful, often causing blood letting).

Working on boats isn't always easy.