Hey Guys.
Here is my situation:

Boat is leaking water from the transom, I believe by the hole where the drive goes.
In about three months I've replaced 3 starters because of rust.

I have a Mercruiser 454 MPI

My first option is to fix the leak, but thats cost effective, need to remove engine & drive

What can I do to save these starters, water is not getting to the starter, I assume water hits flywheel when I start driving and water goes all to the back.

This is killing me because the starter goes bad and I cannot take the boat that day

Any suggestions would be much appreciated

You might be able to move your bilge pump (and float switch if yours is a 2 piece unit) more towards the transom so it turns on before water gets the the flywheel keeping the water level in check. If you ask me If the water in the bilge makes to the flywheel, that is way to much, so it should be relocated anyways. I have my bilge pump located right next to the transom.

Unfortunately you really need to fix you water infiltration. A bilge pump is back up for SAFETY reasons. You should not relay on it to make fun day on the water.

If water is leaking in a rotted transom is going to be more expensive than the leak repair or a starter.

Run a bead of silicon around the transom assembly and do your bellows including the shift cable bellow.

Yes,,,,, you have bigger problems then eating starters

Yes sir, he is right!!!! Time to put some money aside and have the issue properly addressed or your going to have to take the motor out and pay way more to have a transom put in the boat!!

What everybody else said. Baja's weren't water tight NEW from the factory. If you have that much water in the bilge, then you have way worse than just starter problems. My 272 was only 7 years old (never sat in water or weather) and the transom/two stirngers were rotten. Every single screw not to mention all the holes had NO sealant. I'd bet dollars to donuts yours doesn't either.

Yes, it's most likely the o-ring seal on the transom assembly. See if you can spot the water coming in and seal it up with some marine silicone until you can fix it right.

I had a similiar water problem and it took them hours to find it, I was taking on a few gallons each time I took my Formula out, but only when I was sitting (floating), I'm not sure what the part is called, but it's the bolt (on top) that drive swivels on, they replaced it and it stopped, friggin' thing coast me $3-400 hundred to fix, but i don't have to worry about it anymore.

I will keep checking to see where its coming from
Thank you all for your help
Once i find, i will post it on the forum