Starter Motor *Update*

HappyKamper

HappyKamper

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I have a Mercruiser 496 . I need a new starter motor. On the internet a Merc starter cost $199.
I found on Amazon from DB Electric a marine starter motor for $51.20
What is the catch?
Am I missing something?
Is it the right way to go?
 
Those cheap starters usually work fine and DB is one of the better known vendors. I don't think any of those "gear reduction, permanent magnet, high torque" (and there may be other names) are very repairable. The best thing I find about them is they're so much lighter than the old Delco-Remy style. That really helps when you're in contortions half under the engine.
 
Yes getting off/on can be interesting and I have a friend who recently needed to do this on a smaller mercruiser and had to actually disconnect and lift the motor So good luck
 
Yeah, get the permanent magnet starter motor, you won't be sorry. Also, check that you get the right mounting pattern. They're either inline or offset...depending on the diameter of your flywheel.

You might want to check on getting the mounting bolt for the starter. Merc makes a bolt with an extra long hex head which makes it easier to get a wrench on.
 
+1 for DB Electric. I ordered a starter for my Yanmar diesel, $157 vs. $350 - $400 elsewhere. Ordered on a Monday morning, somehow made it to house by Tuesday night! No core return, so I sent the original out and got it rebuilt. Nice to have a spare onboard as a backup.

For $51.20, I say go for it.
 
I used to live up in Johnson City where DB electric is - I have been to their facility. I have two of their starts on my 5.0 Mercruisers. Smaller, lighter, easier to install.
 
Just changed our starter today. What a headache! On boat in our signature, there's no "engine room" by any description. Has a motor box like an inboard speedboat except back at the transom. (DeeVee, you in there, brother? If you've got to change one, allow half a day.) Anyhow, a couple points you may find helpful:

1. Be SURE the starter mounts with the MerC bolts!!! Auto supply bolts will hold the starter in place OK, but MerC furnishes them with a 1/2" hex head (cars use 9/16") that's also extra "tall" (longer hex surfaces) compared to automotive. In the staggered bolt pattern, one bolt is right against the flywheel housing cover. Even still, unless there's room for a 1/2" thin deep socket, standard socket won't leave clearance for the head of a ratchet. I ended up loosening and tightening with a short 1/2" x 9/16" 12-point box wrench from the day Craftsman had mechanic-quality hand tools with VERY thin walls.

2. The replacement starter had TWO nuts on the battery terminal stud. That's the way Delco-Remy used to be, so I tightened the second nut tight to the back of the solenoid cover. Much later in the job I found all my terminals wouldn't fit. Turned out the extra nut was not needed. Solenoid is made with a special washer that holds the stud in place, where Delco-Remy had used a nut. Simply removing the extra nut allowed me to continue with the connections.

3. I'm getting too old for this!
 
Ratchet head won't fit? I know you have a swivel and extensions.
 
On the staggered bolt pattern, ratchet head won't clear at the flywheel housing for the rearward bolt using as standard socket. Deep socket serves as a short extension and it will then fit. Clearance is so tight, to the inner hull/stringer area, that once the left-hand-fingers get the socket on, there's not enough to slide the hand back to the handle part of the ratchet. A flex socket might help, but I don't have any of those in 3/8" drive. I have three flex-head ratchets. Stubby fine-tooth doesn't give the leverage. Long single-joint Craftsman was too long. Best shot was a standard length fine toothed double-jointed from Harbor Fright. Flex needed to get the socket on, then fold in the wrong direction under pressure. The forward hole in staggered pattern is close to the oil pan but clear enough for a ratchet head. Problem there is that couple inches gets the work even closer to structure of the stringer area.
For futures, I'm thinking Loosen with that Box Wrench then see if a 1/4" ratchet with 1/2" regular socket will spin the bolts out. God Forbid a "future" on this one... PITA! PITA! PITA!
 
JD, I know it's too late now, but, They make sockets with a universal.
 
Charlie he should have asked us. I use swivels for everything, at least I did.
 
Some times 1/4" drive fits where 3/8 won't.
 
The bigger problem is really the Boat not the Starter. Still, I thought I had a couple flex sockets. All I seem to have is 10mm x 1/4"
 
Heh! heh!, JD is old enuff so that he should know these things.

Just remembered, about 30 years ago, had problem with the starter on my El Camino. Had to grind the walls of the socket to fit but once I got it on, it wouldn't come off so I left it. Best F/U I ever did.
 
Too soon Old and too late Smart. I can only get into the area with one hand at a time. If I can see the starter I about can't touch it. Can't work the bolts except left-handed and I'm a righty. All I could work on right-handed was the connections, and that was indeed helpful.

Charlie, your automotive starter probably had the larger bolt heads. The MerC bolts are indeed a blessing.

Anybody interested in the bolts, I'll find some that I can get a pic of and post it.

FOR THE OP - and others thinking this dinky little starter can't replace a Delco-Remy - Starter I just took off has run 16 years and 1400 hours. Got soaked with salt water. Still spun up but drive wouldn't engage. After I installed the new one, I took the old one to the bench and cleaned up the drive. STILL works like a new one. And, I could back out every screw that held it together. Cleaned, lubed, painted, now it's the spare.
 
JD, You talkin' about the long headed starter bolt from merc? I been talkin' about it for at least 10 years now. Got a couple spares. Also got a spare magnet starter and carb...gotta be careful though, mentioning what I have will surely get them gremlins hackin' 'n a hewin' at anything I don't have a spare of.
 
Charlie, we should start a special thread about rarely used and ancient tools to edumicate young guys like JD.
 
Charlie, I wasn't sure if the starter that just came off, had those special bolts. The wrench I had packed with the spare starter was 1/2 x 9/16 so I couldn't even tell from that, till I got under there, and they fortunately were the special type with 1/2 heads. Spare starter came with a 9/16 for the battery cable and I replaced it with 1/2 just to not need another wrench.
 
The special bolts I've been talking about have heads that are about 1" long and extend that much more than stock bolts.
 
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