Change Starter

mcflop · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:41 pm **Posts:** 5

How do I change the starter on a 1994 190 Horizon 5.8 Liter OMC Cobra? Does the engine have to come out?
Thanks

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

I doubt you have to pull the engine, from what I have been told the older models have more engine room compared to the newer models. I changed the starter on my 2008 220SS and although it was not easy I had it out and the new one installed in about 4 hours. Like me you will probably want to take a picture of the pesky starter after you get it out to show your victory to the world. The starter only has two screws but make sure you spray them down and let them sit for a while before you even attempt to take them out. If you strip a bolt you will have to pull the engine is what I was told so I sprayed the bolts two days in a row and on the third they came right out. Good luck and please don't strip a bolt let me know how it goes curious how the older model behaves.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:32 am

Your hands will look like you fought a tiger, but it comes out. Much easier to pull off starter then take out engine.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

ric wrote:

Your hands will look like you fought a tiger, but it comes out. Much easier to pull off starter then take out engine.

HAHAHAHA

You are definitely correct on your hands looking all beat up afterwards and you can't wear those cool gloves that you use on your car so get ready for some bare knuckle fun! I would not even want to imagine how hard the engine would be to take out if you stripped one of those starter bolts.

Joe in Miami

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:40 am

I'm having a hard time finding a CG rated gear reduction starter for a ford windsor. There seems to be a few out there for chevy. If you could locate one of those, it's about half the size/weight of the original starter. Much easier to install/remove.

Please don't install a car starter, sure it works perfect but there's that .0000000001% risk of fire and a chance of getting a ticket from the USCG if ever boarded.

skidaddytn · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2010 11:12 am **Posts:** 281

I'm guessing someone left the plug in the boat and it rained to fill up the bilge and hit the starter.... been there done that...

I did one on a '95 FW Freedom 4.3L... bottom of engine starboard side... The bolts were not even that tight... it did not take long at all... another savings opportunity many people miss is that often times you can take it to a local small motor shop if you have one and they can fix it... cheaper than a $400 starter.... I got lucky and they only charged me like 35 bucks i think...

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:38 pm

[quote="Jafo4U"]I doubt you have to pull the engine, from what I have been told the older models have more engine room compared to the newer models. I changed the starter on my 2008 220SS and although it was not easy I had it out and the new one installed in about 4 hours. Like me you will probably want to take a picture of the pesky starter after you get it out to show your victory to the world. The starter only has two screws but make sure you spray them down and let them sit for a while before you even attempt to take them out. If you strip a bolt you will have to pull the engine is what I was told so I sprayed the bolts two days in a row and on the third they came right out. Good luck and please don't strip a bolt let me know how it goes curious how the older model behaves.

I would not have thought about spraying the bolts! But it sounds like you should be using a 6 point socket and no open end wrenches.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:52 pm

$400 starter? Gold plated?

You shouldn't pay more then $100-$120 for a Marine rated starter.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:35 pm

If you can get to the bolts and they are not corroded this is usually not a hard job, but it can be. Make sure you either turn off the batt switch or disconnect the neg cable before starting, you don't want to make a dead short to ground (the big red wire to the solenoid or starter is always hot if both cables are connected). Spray PB BLaster on the bolts and let it soak in for a day or 2. I use Sierra Marine starters, they work great and you can usually buy them for 150-175. Or you can take your old one off and get it rebuilt, but make sure the rebuilder knows its a marine unit.

I've done mine 2 times over the years (one year the ex manifold drain leaked a bit and rusted up the solenoid), if I take out the back seat and push back the batt on that side I have it out in 15 min....

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

[quote="Paul I."][quote="Jafo4U"]I doubt you have to pull the engine, from what I have been told the older models have more engine room compared to the newer models. I changed the starter on my 2008 220SS and although it was not easy I had it out and the new one installed in about 4 hours. Like me you will probably want to take a picture of the pesky starter after you get it out to show your victory to the world. The starter only has two screws but make sure you spray them down and let them sit for a while before you even attempt to take them out. If you strip a bolt you will have to pull the engine is what I was told so I sprayed the bolts two days in a row and on the third they came right out. Good luck and please don't strip a bolt let me know how it goes curious how the older model behaves.

I would not have thought about spraying the bolts! But it sounds like you should be using a 6 point socket and no open end wrenches.[/quote

Definitely no open wrenches of any kind!

mcflop · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:41 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks for all the good info. I will give it a try now that I know it can be done.
Thanks

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Good luck post some pics and when I was done I ran a little marine grease on those metal fittings because mine were corroded.

Jesse · **Joined:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:19 pm **Posts:** 17

How did you come out? I don't know if you bought one or not yet but, I have always taken mine to a local rebuilder. The usual wearing parts are the same as a car. If none of the seals or other marine stuff is bad it's usually a cheap rebuild.

mcflop · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:41 pm **Posts:** 5

Its a 1994 Horizon 190 5.8 Liter and the starter was very easy to get out. After removing the hood, it was out in 10 minutes.
Its at the starter rebuild shop now and they said it would be between$100 and $150 to rebuild.

Thanks for the help,
John

ric · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:14 pm

mcflop wrote:

Its a 1994 Horizon 190 5.8 Liter and the starter was very easy to get out. After removing the hood, it was out in 10 minutes.
Its at the starter rebuild shop now and they said it would be between$100 and $150 to rebuild.

Thanks for the help,
John

wow, what a ripoff. $150 to rebuild a dime a dozen ford 351 windsor starter????? They're $60 new plus shipping for the marine version with a 1 year warranty.
http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Starter-Fo ... B004OXXLCI

www.iFourWinns.com

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