Gear Reduction Starters

[millerf]

Hello. I am a new member here but have been lurking for years.

Short version of the question: which gear reduction starters are safe for marine use? My understanding is that anything sealed would be okay. I am going mostly off of this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...-starter/page2

I have found that there are many, including permanent magnet and non-permanent magnet ones, that seem like they would be sealed, and therefore marine ready. They are not advertised as such, however, and contacting the suppliers seems to give erratic conflicting answers. Here is an example:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...6/applications

I also found this one and it seems really high end for my needs, also not specifically marine rated:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Powerm...olt,33620.html

Then I found this, which does not list a marine rating, but is sold at a marine store:
http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-11933...reduction.aspx

And I found this one that is even more expensive, and seems way overbuilt for my application. This is the only one that specifically says SAE J1171 approved.
http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-13381...r-sbc-bbc.aspx

Anyone here mess with gear reduction starters enough to shed some light?


Longer version/story completion:
I am in the process of repowering a 93 Rinker Fiesta Vee 260. The boat had a cracked 454 due to crappy or non-existent winterization. Anyway, I sourced a rebuilt long block, which is sitting on the stand right now. After getting it mostly together, I go to bolt up the starter expecting to head to the boat to drop it in and it won't bolt up. Turns out the block's inner bolt on the staggered bolt pattern was "repaired", my guess by someone in a previous life before the rebuild. The repair is a fail, though, since it placed the hole about a 1/4" off. Not wanting to machine the block or delay further, I decided that a gear reduction starter would be best, since it would avoid that mounting hole completely and still use my flywheel (14"). This is the reason I am specifically looking at those starters. The truth is, I would install whatever would allow me to use the existing inline mounting holes with a 14" flywheel, so feel free to shed some light if there is an option I have neglected to consider.

The engine going in is a stock compression 330 horse. There really is no need to go with the biggest and greatest starter, but it does need to be safe and legal. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Short version, get any starter which is a permanent magnet and listed as marine and you will love it, just stay away from Sierra

 

[Bt Doctur]

None of those starter pictured are what you want or need. Protorque PTQ PH1400017D , MES MEl 5399MHT , MEL 5399MD`

 

[millerf]

None of those starter pictured are what you want or need. Protorque PTQ PH1400017D , MES MEl 5399MHT , MEL 5399MD`

Unfortunately, I cannot use any of those as those are the standard replacement models for the large flywheel.

I need something that mounts to the straight mounting holes, hence the specific gear reduction question.

 

[alldodge]

You can call Hardin and ask if it is marine qualified. I wouldn't put an unknown in, you may on the front page of the paper about a fire ball.

 

[kenny nunez]

Just a question, does your engine have the other threaded starter bolt hole at the rear inboard side. I once had to drill and tap that hole on a small block that must have been a truck engine before. If it does the smaller flywheel could be modified by re drilling and having the proper counter balance weight added in the correct location. I know this is not easy but something to consider. The other option is to screw a 3/8- 16 bolt into the hole with locktite, grind it smooth with the surface. Square the starter on the block and carefully drill and tap the hole in the correct location.

 

[millerf]

Just a question, does your engine have the other threaded starter bolt hole at the rear inboard side. I once had to drill and tap that hole on a small block that must have been a truck engine before. If it does the smaller flywheel could be modified by re drilling and having the proper counter balance weight added in the correct location. I know this is not easy but something to consider. The other option is to screw a 3/8- 16 bolt into the hole with locktite, grind it smooth with the surface. Square the starter on the block and carefully drill and tap the hole in the correct location.

I considered some of those options. Honestly, I would not trust myself to do that much machining on the block, especially since the hole has been welded shut before, it isn't even flat anymore. I considered using the stock smaller flywheel/starter, but the result with the flywheel mismatch would mean too much effort also. In addition to the 454 being externally balanced, I was worried my coupler would not mount to the smaller flywheel and need its own maching. All that added up to the gear reduction starter being the answer. It lets me use the existing holes while keeping my existing rearward parts.

 

[millerf]

You can call Hardin and ask if it is marine qualified. I wouldn't put an unknown in, you may on the front page of the paper about a fire ball.

I called them and asked if they had a starter that wasn't so overkill when I saw their bigger one. I was so unimpressed with their response and helpfulness that I decided to weigh my options before blindly ordering. An hour later, I noticed they did have that smaller one, even though they said they did not. They were closed at this point so no calling till Monday.

 

[stonyloam]

As I understand it, permanate magnet gear reduction starters because of their construction are marine rated. Conventional (field coil) gear reduction auto starters are not, unless they are specifically listed as marine rated.

 

[millerf]

I am not sure about permanent magnet starters. It could very well be. Either way, I ended up finding that the second from last unit I mentioned (link below) is actually made by API marine. Definitely a marine starter. I ordered it yesterday, but not from Hardin. They were a real piece of work on Friday for some reason.

http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-11933-inboard-starter-hitachi-style-gear-reduction.aspx

Thank you for the advice everyone.