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  #1   IP: 128.183.140.38
Old 11-13-2014, 02:02 PM
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Remanufactured Late Model Starter

Some time ago, there was a thread on what item(s) people considered as high-priority/dead-in-the-water-without spares because of the difficulty of obtaining them or jury-rigging something while out cruising for extended periods.

My personal favorite in this list was the starter motor, because my V-drive installation precludes access to the flywheel end of the motor, making hand-crank starting impossible. A dead starter would leave me without engine power.

I was further reinforced in this belief after reading the difficulties SailingChance (Jason) has in the Bahamas ( http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8091 )

So, i've been on the lookout for a used late-model starter to carry as a spare before we try a trip down the ICW. I recently came across this listing on eBay:
UNIVERSAL Marine Atomic Four 4cyl Gas 1969-1981 STARTER
Free shipping and 30-day refund.

At $88, I figured "what the heck", so I ordered one. There are two more left.

With any luck, I'll have my spare.
Even if it's a complete dud, it's still worth $100 as a core charge refund.

I''ll keep the list posted on my experiences with it.
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Old 11-13-2014, 05:30 PM
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Ed,

I trust your instinct so much I just ordered the 2nd one. Also nice having "almost" identical installations, at least close enough for government work! Been having an intermittent problem with mine the latter half of the season so I just may install this and use the my original as the spare. Looks 100% complete w/solenoid, plug-n-play.

One left.......

The "other" Ed
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:40 PM
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Ed & Ed, You know...I've never actually tried to start the motor with the hand crank. I figure it is easy with a warm engine, but not easy with a cold engine. The other issue I have with the engine "in a box", is even though I have cut a starting crank hole in the cabinet, my knuckles smack the cabin sole/bilge floor when cranking..probably not pleasant as the crank flies off the flywheel pin in the event of an actual hand crank start.

I agree $88 is a good deal. I paid about $100 to get mine rebuilt at the local well-known Mennonite electric motor place (no one-eyed dog, but he recognized the parts I brought in as from an A-4 by the bronze paint on the housings.)
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Old 11-14-2014, 01:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sea Haven View Post
... I just ordered the 2nd one. ...One left.......
Looks like it sold about an hour after you ordered yours.


Quote:
Originally Posted by sastanley View Post
Ed & Ed, You know...I've never actually tried to start the motor with the hand crank. I figure it is easy with a warm engine, but not easy with a cold engine.
I would assume that too. Maybe hand-cranking a cold engine is one of those rare cases where a shot of "motor crack" (starter fluid) is justified.
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Old 11-15-2014, 08:38 PM
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Starter fluid help

Quote:
Originally Posted by edwardc View Post
I would assume that too. Maybe hand-cranking a cold engine is one of those rare cases where a shot of "motor crack" (starter fluid) is justified.
Had to do that once to my cold engine in gale force winds when the toothed flywheel ring shifted, and the starter motor wouldn't engage the flywheel. A quick removal of two trim panels, a squirt of starter fluid, and the thing fired up so quick, I lost my grip on the handle. It spun VERY quickly as I dove toward the head, but eventually freed itself against the setee without damage or injury. I hope you don't have to change out the starter motor in similar conditions!

-Dean
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Old 11-15-2014, 10:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edwardc View Post
Looks like it sold about an hour after you ordered yours.




I would assume that too. Maybe hand-cranking a cold engine is one of those rare cases where a shot of "motor crack" (starter fluid) is justified.
Ed, Guess who bought the last one? At $88, I could not resist.
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"Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
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Old 11-18-2014, 10:13 AM
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Mine came in yesterday. Looks nice. All cleaned & painted.

But it seems like the connection from the solenoid's hi-current output stud to the motor's main terminal is crooked and loose. I suspect they bent the bolt that goes through the copper standoff between the stud and the terminal, and couldn't tighten it fully. Further investigation needed before firing it up.

You get what you pay for. Still, if that's all thats wrong, it's still a hell of a deal.

I'll post pictures when I get a chance to take some.
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Old 11-18-2014, 02:09 PM
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Ed,

I don't believe I saw anything on the EBAY ad indicating "Ignition Protection".

Issue now that you've actually seen it?

"Sub" Ed
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Old 11-19-2014, 12:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sea Haven View Post
Ed,

I don't believe I saw anything on the EBAY ad indicating "Ignition Protection".

Issue now that you've actually seen it?

"Sub" Ed
Possibly, but it looks good. There is a proper sealing grommet around where the main terminal comes thru the casing. Otherwise, there's no real external openings in the casing. The solenoid is completely sealed externally.

No part number on the starter, but the shiny new solenoid sports the markings

"BB14H"
"12V"

The loose main terminal connection tightened right up with an 8mm socket. I suspect somebody tried to tighten it with a 3/8" and it only went so far before slipping. (I first tried a 3/8" on it and it grabbed, then slipped.)

Haven't applied power yet. Too late tonight. Another time.
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Old 11-20-2014, 01:49 PM
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Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!! EBAY purchase rules!!

Ed, et al...

Mine came 30 minutes ago.

I'm fortunate enough to work as a Design Engineer for Merlin Power Systems, USA office. Some here may know of SMARTGAUGE Battery monitoring and SMARTBANK Battery charging products (if your a boater and you don't, you should). So we have the capability of bench testing it.

Mine tested A+ just 15 minutes ago lol.
Smooth as silk.

GREAT purchase!

Thanks for spotting it, and thanks to Ægir for the providence of checking this site right after you posted!

Still the "other" and now "happy" Ed
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Old 11-20-2014, 07:23 PM
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One slight fly in the ointment.

I believe the starter is not fully ignition protected. Specifically, it seems to be missing the rubber gasket between the solenoid body and the starter housing.

This leaves a small gap open into the starter body.

To quote the MMI catalog:

"This gasket seals the space between the front of the solenoid and the housing of Delco starters. This seal is one of the items which distinguish marine starters from those used in automotive applications. "

Part number OVEL_07.1_326, only $5.75. Looks easy enough to install. Guess I'll add one to my next gasket/impeller/misc order.
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:07 PM
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Eds, Mine arrived today as well. Ed C, you are right..missing the rubber gasket you've identified in your post. I will add one to my next misc. Moyer order as well.

Other than that, the starter seems OK. I have no 12v battery handy to test here at home, not including one in the vehicles..but it is getting cold outside..I'll have to bring one home from the boat so I can test in my warmer-than-outside garage.

I will post appropriate feedback and make a comment about it...there is plenty of extra screw length to accommodate the gasket, and also a gap for the tab hanging out near the starter body, as you noted.

edit - I have contacted the seller to alert them of my (our) concerns before posting the 80-ish character public e-bay feedback. We'll see what they have to say.
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"Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
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Last edited by sastanley; 11-20-2014 at 10:32 PM.
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:22 PM
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Quote:
I believe the starter is not fully ignition protected. Specifically, it seems to be missing the rubber gasket between the solenoid body and the starter housing.
That was my concern. I'll be doing the same thing.
Since I have a new solenoid from NAPA that I plan install on my existing starter, I'll try reusing the existing gasket, if still serviceable, when I do that and put THAT aside as the spare.

The new gasket on the new starter which now becomes the primary.

This way if this EBAY starter craps out sooner rather than later, my old starter is the known working backup.

Of course the added benefit this exercise is it teaches me more about my A4!
"Sub" Ed
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Old 11-24-2014, 10:03 AM
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I've gotten no feedback from the seller. Oh well.
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-Shawn
"Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
"Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!)
http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/signaturepics/sigpic3231_6.gif
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Old 11-24-2014, 10:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sea Haven View Post
That was my concern. I'll be doing the same thing.
Since I have a new solenoid from NAPA that I plan install on my existing starter, I'll try reusing the existing gasket, if still serviceable, when I do that and put THAT aside as the spare.

The new gasket on the new starter which now becomes the primary.

This way if this EBAY starter craps out sooner rather than later, my old starter is the known working backup.

Of course the added benefit this exercise is it teaches me more about my A4!
"Sub" Ed
Let us know if you run into any issues adding the gasket.


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I've gotten no feedback from the seller. Oh well.
Me neither.
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