replacement starter

[rjwoodrome]

quick question guy's. aquired an old boat last summer. and of course the thing sat for quite a while with the drain plug in and rain water submersed the starter. which corroded.. very ugly inside . went to local marine parts store. starter in hand. counter guy said $250.00 yikes!!
Then went to favorite automotive parts store found Identical replacement unit for $49.95 w/core exchange. the only visable differance was the stamp on the old one "marine" now the old unit wasnt sealed any better than the over the counter unit .. Could some one tell me the differance?

Thanks RJWoodrome...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: replacement starter

Marine starters are sealed to prevent sparks from setting off an explosion in the bilge. You therefore really need a Marine version. The Auto parts store may be able to order one for you, perhaps a rebuilt one that will accept your core.

Stick with the marine version, or make sure yor life insurance is paid.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: replacement starter

Yea we went with a rebuilt marine unit in the end. $80.00 but I didnt notice any extra o-rings or sealing on the old one. thats why the inquerry. I was just really happy the motor wasnt swamped.
Been a old wrench head for land vehicles H-D bikes you name it!!
Thanks will always stick to sealed replacement or oem spec.

 

[Maclin]

Re: replacement starter

You certainly did the right thing, and $80 is not bad at all. I like to rebuild exactly what was on there when I can, with anything not just boats. I have always been around good electrical shops that are trustworthy though, and that is a big plus.

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacement starter

but I didnt notice any extra o-rings or sealing on the old one. thats why the inquerry.

Ayuh,.....

Generally speaking,...
The Difference is alittle round steel plate that's mounted between the ele. motor,+ the bendix drive.....
That little steel plate isolates the motor sparks from the outside...

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacement starter

Ayuh,.....

Generally speaking,...
The Difference is alittle round steel plate that's mounted between the ele. motor,+ the bendix drive.....
That little steel plate isolates the motor sparks from the outside...

Great info!

But just have to ask...is this a plate that can be transfered from a deep-sixed marine starter, to a new (non-marine) starter?

 

[abj87]

Re: replacement starter

i would say yes. I did the something with an alternator a couple of months ago.

 

[twostroke87]

Re: replacement starter

It is againt coastguard regs to install a starter in an inboard or I/o boat that doesn't have the marine sticker on it, this goes for starters, alternators, distributors caps + rotors, ignition coils, spark plug wires, solenoids and pretty much anything else that makes a spark. In theory if the coast guard pulled you over and found automotive electrical parts they could (i stress in theory) impound your boat.

Now this is very unlikely, you'd have a better chance of igniting fumes and blowing yourself up.

But a very real downside, is if any certified mech ever stepped into your boat to do other work, say I dunno do a head gasket, and he found auto parts, even if they were completely unrelated to the job he was doing. He would have to walk away from the job at risk of losing his certification, and demand that you replace the components with marine equiptment or he won't do the job.

 

[Don S]

Re: replacement starter

But just have to ask...is this a plate that can be transfered from a deep-sixed marine starter, to a new (non-marine) starter?

Let's put it this way. If it was that easy, don't you think there would be a few hundred sites out there explaining how to change an automotive starter to a marine starter?????? There isn't one site like that. Wonder why?

i would say yes. I did the something with an alternator a couple of months ago.

Did it pass the Coast Guard tests, or just your own "That oughta work" type test?

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: replacement starter

I here ya loud and clear men ... the starter was re-wound and new brushes bearings and is bearing the stamp. A buddy here in town rebuilds electric motors for his trade. I am a union inside wireman and have the nfpa 70e course for flash arc protection and wont compromise the safety of anyone. in work or pleasure! unless its spiked with pain arrgh ..Initially I was courious about the differance between the two. so in altenators lots of potential for sparks there. are they totally inclosed as well.. 10 inches of snow outside and its too damn cold to go have a peek..

 

[abj87]

Re: replacement starter

Did it pass the Coast Guard tests, or just your own "That oughta work" type test?

It even has the marine sticker on it
"marinized" of a delco 10si alternator is only an spark arrester screen on the front intake and spark arrester cover on the back thats it. And an additional ground post. All other components are identical.

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacement starter

so in altenators lots of potential for sparks there. are they totally inclosed as well..

Ayuh,....

Metal Screens just Won't allow a Spark to pass thru....
Metal Elbows, like used on some Distributer caps does the same thing, as Sparks can't turn corners...

 

[180shabah]

Re: replacement starter

It is not a question of can you just install the spark arrestors on the new unit. You can. Will it be as safe as the original? should be. Is it legal? Not even close. If you don't purchase a certified unit, then it is your responsibility to test it. You will need at least two of them cause one will be all but destroyed during the testing. So if spending many, many thousands on testing and certification just to save a hundred dollars or so sounds like fun, go for it.

 

[abj87]

Re: replacement starter

It is not a question of can you just install the spark arrestors on the new unit. You can. Will it be as safe as the original? should be. Is it legal? Not even close. If you don't purchase a certified unit, then it is your responsibility to test it. You will need at least two of them cause one will be all but destroyed during the testing. So if spending many, many thousands on testing and certification just to save a hundred dollars or so sounds like fun, go for it.

Were in the USCG rules does it say that?

Not trying to be arguementive here trying to point out that some of the people on the board go crazy with the trivial regulations. And i don't need some silly sticker that says my boat is safe.