Hello all,

I've been learning a lot about general maintenance in the last year or so since the responsibility for the family heirloom has passed on to me. She's running great but I'm thinking perhaps i should change the distributor caps and rotors when i do the spark plugs, since i have no idea when it was done last. Is that likely to be a bog standard automotive distributor cap or might i have to locate a marine part? (the plug wires seem to be marine application). Im not a wrencher but learning and enjoying it.

Sometimes the starboard starter motor clanks/grinds for a bit on cold startup. I've been told its pretty hard to get to the starter but want to tackle this now. Is that also a standard automotive part?

Thanks for the tips,

Will[IMG][/IMG]

Most electrical accessories are marine specific. They are supposedly designed to not ignite fuel vapours that can build up in an enclosed engine compartment.

In general, don't use automotive replacements.

Buy the lightest smallest powerful starter you can.

"I would buy a race starter tilton or powermaster type for cars but vent my blige prior to starting."
Others may disagree with this.
I put a powermaster xr on my 4.1 165 mercruiser it looks sweet and weighed 10 times less than the old one.

thanks. i'll look further into this issue to make sure i get the right parts

Rule #1 when learning how to repair boats - NO AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL's unless known/stated as marine replacements.

Read that 100 times so you never get the urge. LOL.

All clear thanks. Prefer not to learn things "the hard way" which is why I'm here

trs drives..usually easy starter change...bravo drives suck..stick with merc parts...they lasted this long why change a good thing..

yeah they are bravos. i heard it was a &%^$#
i'll contact the engine builder to find out if he used stock merc starter.

look in to arco marine electronics,i have used several of their starters with great results.they are not open on friday,s.

You can also have the original starter rebuilt.

The difference between marine starters and car starters is not strength or dependability or fancy paint etc... Marine starters are designed not to ignite gasoline vapors which can accumulate in the bilge turning your boat onto a bomb. Ask yourself if you use you blower everytime and if you have ever forgotten too.....