I have a bad starter on my 1997 merc 502 mpi. Is there something special about a marine starter or is it the same as an automotive starter?

marine starters are sealed to prevent gas fumes from brushes and solenoid contatctor plate, sparks seem to make boat go boom. starters are tested to verify this randomly off assembly line. that is why higher price. all electircal components fall into this requirement(starter, altenator, solenoids/relays, switches) anytime you read about boat explosion this is cause, non-marine parts into marine environment.

Great info. Thanks for the reply!

Good automotive electric shop will usually rebuild a marine starter for about the same price as an automotive starter. Aside from the cases and armature, they take the same wear parts.
MC