Anyone use the smaller "high torque" versions? I have the standard big old heavy units, and while they work fine, I plan to replace them while the engines are out. Was looking at the high torque versions, just not sure about them. A guy had told me he had problems with them breaking, due to the fact the drive gear isnt supported like the old style units. Anyone? Engines have timing locked out.

I swapped mine out about two years ago. I am using the Mercury ones. No issues and I'm running locked out as well. I think that were about $200 each.

Any difference cranking wise with them Craig?

Nope

Joe, leave them in .. they are stronger then the high tourqe ones.. and the guy was right with the gear suport on those high $ ones.

The old style is easy replaced for $125 NEW !

I have the Hardin HD top mounts on my new 572 SC EFI's. The starter motor looks like a little toy, but they seem to roll the beast over fine.

http://www.cpperformance.com/p-13240...-rotation.aspx

All of the top mounts I use have the unsupported nose and I haven't had any issues with them. They work great and are a TON lighter than the old cast iron ones.
I tried to use one with a nose on it before and had problems with the nose running into the bell housing and motor plate. I was using the KE dual cooler bell housing. The starter wasn't the cast iron one, but an aluminum one with the supported nose. It wouldn't work, so went to the smaller one and used it ever since.
Eddie

joe,i had problems with my old heavy starters,i replaced them with the merc high torque mini,s,i got them from teague,they crank my engines faster than the old ones did.if u go to arco,s website,they show pictures,and are cheeper than the merc ones.my fountain has the big heavy ones,im going to try the arco starters on it.a friend of mine uses them and loves them.

Great info guys!! Thanks!!