HI, Just wanted to see if anyone can help me out. I have a 1993 Chevy 454 mag and I am having starter problems. I have replaced the starter 3 times and every time I put it in I have the same problem (and it takes about 3 hours to get the starter in adn out so any help would be greatly appreciated). When I put the new starter in and try and fire the motor up it sounds like it strains to turn the motor over and then just dies out and wont engage. (I don't smell any smoke or any electrical burning) I am using a fresh battery every time. I have tried starting the boat with the plugs out as well. I can put a 3/8 in socket on the crank and turn the motor over by hand so I don't think it is frozen. Does anyone have any ideas....I have had the starter rebuilt 3 times by a reputable guy in town and am still running into the same problems.

Thanks

What is the starter rebuilder telling you is the problem? What needs rebuilding? Is it burning up? Does it need a new armature every time he rebuilds it? Is it overheating? Does it smell bad when you remove it?
How do the teeth look on the starter and flywheel? Is the starter too close to the flywheel and needs a shim or two? Is this an AC Delco starter? Is the starter nose bent or distorted? Are you using the correct starter attachment bolts? These are some of the questions that you need to have the answers for.
Sincerely
Dennis Moore
FAMILY AND PERFORMANCE BOATING MAGAZINE

So with the spark plugs removed it still won't turn over? If so, have you made 2 full crankshaft revolutions with the ratchet on harmonic balancer bolt? If yes to both questions, you need a new starter or a new starter rebuilder.

BT

These starters are available from many suppliers in a remaunufactured version, you can also buy it from any GM dealer. You may want to replace it, its not worth the rebuild. Also you should load test the battery cables, both ground and Positive. A regular battery load tester can be used. Just clip it directly to the cable end that attaches to the starter. Do the same for the ground that attaches to the block. If this doesn't work, check the condition of the trigger wire from keyswitch, also check condition of starter relay.

your starter guy should beable to grt you a new gear reduction for about 160.make sure you sand the bottom of the block where it mounts,dissconnect and clean all your cable connections,give it a rotation or two,and double check your cable ends for heat,if there hot,youve got a bad connection or cable.........

Before you go replacing starter after starter and buying gear reduction stuff and what ever, remember this. They should not need a gear reduction starter so if you go that way you are likely only masking another problem, that could cost ya. I would take a GOOD look at your wires going from the Battery to the Starter. What ga are they? If they are smaller ga that most manufacturers use and they have ANY corrosion at all then I would replace them. I have worked on a number of cars and boats were the complaint was a slow turn over with the starter and it was almost ALWAYS the cables. Check both your power and ground.

Jon

This situation is real simple to trouble shoot.All you need is a simple volt meter set on the 20 v scale.Connect one lead to battery positive post,the other to main starter connection.Check for any reading above 500 millivolts.Then repaet the test from battery negative to engine block.Do this static and while cranking.Any more than 500 mv drop is too much,Work backwards from the starter to the battery switch,cable connections etc to locate the point of resistance causing the drop.If you find no drop,get a GOOD starter.