Which way does a Mercruiser MIE 260 distributor spin?

[sdowney717]

Guy I am helping changed starter. The distributor turns CCW right now, and motor turns CW when standing in front of the engine pulleys. Engine is on the PORT (left) side in the boat made in 1984

This is the distributor

MerCruiser 260 MIE GM 350 V-8 1981-1986 Distributor & Ignition Components Parts

MerCruiser 260 mie gm 350 v-8 1981-1986 distributor and ignition components parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

 

[Bt Doctur]

all gm dist turn clockwise

 

[sdowney717]

all gm dist turn clockwise

Well this one spins CCW and starter was replaced, and it wont fire up.
Must mean the wrong rotation starter is spinning engine the wrong way?

Slipmate I am helping with his engine got the starter from Dare Marina, and they said its the right one. So maybe the parts guy screwed up?

 

[sdowney717]

Parts list for starters on this engine mention LH and RH starters.
Meaning Distributor would have to turn either CCW or CW depending on which starter is used.

MerCruiser 260 MIE GM 350 V-8 1981-1986 Starter & Alternator Parts

MerCruiser 260 mie gm 350 v-8 1981-1986 starter and alternator parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

 

[nola mike]

Well this one spins CCW and starter was replaced, and it wont fire up.
Must mean the wrong rotation starter is spinning engine the wrong way?

Slipmate I am helping with his engine got the starter from Dare Marina, and they said its the right one. So maybe the parts guy screwed up?

No, dizzy and motor both rotate the same way, CW

 

[Bt Doctur]

except for a reverse rotation motor, dist turns CW, crank turns CCW
An aft entry starter is just the reverse of a block mounted starter

 

[Fun Times]

Take notice of the distributor gear of item number 11 is only one part number in your link… Then look over the Cam sprocket gears items 11 & 12 for each Direction seen here, https://www.marineengine.com/parts/...thru-0b522505/cylinder-block-and-camshaft-260

What is the engine serial numbers of both engines? “Sometimes” having the numbers may help tell what direction they were meant to be.

Also what part number did they sell you?

 

[nola mike]

except for a reverse rotation motor, dist turns CW, crank turns CCW
An aft entry starter is just the reverse of a block mounted starter

Had assumed this was an I/O until I saw his other thread...

 

[sdowney717]

yes, distributor must turn CW or the oil pump wont pump oil.
I finally realized all that, thanks for the help. He needs a new starter.
I dont know what part number he got from Dare Marina, just that it spins the wrong way. They had looked the boat up and still sold him the wrong one. Parts counter guy made an error. He also I found has the 1.88 or 1.91 velvet drive gear reduction which spins the output shaft opposite of engine rotation. So the Port side motor has to be a RH motor, opposite the standard LH rotation and must use a CW starter. His starter fits behind the flywheel

Appreciate the help, this had me stumped, I had assumed the starter was fine.