starter disengages

[Bendie]

I have a 1980 Mercruiser 470, starter has a start relay. Pulled the engine for floor replacement. Starter ring had a rough spot, had it replaced. Working through initial re installation start up, no problem with the starter. Got the engine running, for 5 minutes or so, ran nice. Did a few restarts, while warmed up, all good.
Next day, it will crank through 1 compression stroke and then disengage. After many repeats, pulled the spark plugs out, cranks nice. Put them back in, same thing.
I am stumped, any ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Re: starter disengages

Ayuh,... My guess is, it's the starter,... it's bendix drive...

 

[NHGuy]

Re: starter disengages

Is it getting good voltage & amps to the starter? Nice clean tight connections? Mr Bond-o may be onto something.

 

[Pete104]

Re: starter disengages

If you don't keep battery connections clean & tight, you will have problems. Engine "out" usually means something was over looked. You don't have a "relay", you a "solenoid". Those starters were marginal from the get-go. Prestolite is not cheap but don't like any kind of moisture!