Starter needs replaced?
 

Just took my new Scarab out for it's first test run and everything was just fine for the first couple hours.Was moored up with some friends and decided it's time to get off the water.Guess what...wouldn't start.Sounds like the starter selonoid not engaging the flywheel.The best I can describe it as a clunk,clunk clunk.How difficult is it to replace a started on a 502 mag?Sure looks hard to get at. The battery is brand new.

Does it whine, or just clunk?

Cuda it just clunks.Whine at all.As a matter of fact when my wife is starting the boat and I'm in the engine compart the starter has a slight wobble to it but all bolts appear tight.Not only that the starter is hotter than hell when cranking on the ignition.Thought?Am I looking at a big repair bill?

tap on it with a hammer,check the cables,check the batterys

I had to remove my Gill exhaust to get at mine. Then everything is pretty easy to see. That was with staggered engines and a driveshaft running right next to the exhaust manifold. There are only 2 bolts holding it on, they run verticle. and the wires to the selenoid. Be careful with those selenoids can break.

Sounds to me the starter must be loose. Did you put a wrench to them? That would be your best hope.

If someone else put that starter on they could have used the wrong starter bolts. They may be bottoming out so they feel tight but are not holding the starter tight.

Watch the battery cable too see if it moves, or put a volt meter on it. You may have water in the cylinders from a leak in the exhaust. If the cable moves and voltage on the battery drops, pull some spark plugs and check for water in the cylinders.

Ding Ding.... we have a winner.

I'm still betting on a loose starter. He said the starter wobbles, if the bendix drive gear gets jammed in the flywheel, it will not turn over, just like if it was hydrolocked.

Yup that's what it was.Water in all starboard cylinders.Oil was milky too.Drained and replaced the oil.