Thread:

Top Mount Starter

Just from personal experience I will never run a top mount again. Had the Factory GM rebuilt twice in 3 years. If ANY water got in the bilge, the flexplate would sling it up and land in the starter and cause it to rust and Corrode(no way to drain out). I even tried a aftermarket one that would drop the gear off at random. Finally i ponied up for a new Late model style Mallory Marine starter( bottom mount), was probabley the best investment I ever made on that boat. Never let me down and I never had to worry about it. But hey thats just me, maybe others have had better luck.

Originally Posted by Motomatt68

First I appologize for this question being low tech but I dont know where else to ask.

I am about done with rebuilding my engine/boat and was about to do the electrical system and wanted to know about top mount starters. My bell housing has a mount for one but all I have ever used were the standard automotive style. My reasons for wanting one would be better access and it seems that it would raise all of the wires in my boat above the bilge. They seem more expensive but...its a boat. My motor is a 509 bbc with a flywheel and an American Turbine Jet. with the bottom mounts I know that there are two mounting positions and that covers everything. Is getting a top mount worth it. What do I need and what do you guys run?

Thanks, Matt.

I use them, a reverse rotation for for a start. one position is for 153 teeth and the other is for a 168 tooth ring gear,( i think) the small ones are nice

I use one because that's all that will fit in a Daytona. I struggled with the normal starter on the bottom, having to use a mini and machining the ears off.... Much happier with the top mount.

Jerry

Isn't the flywheel more offset for a top mount starter also ??

Originally Posted by DONZI

Isn't the flywheel more offset for a top mount starter also ??

ring gear is on the opp. side of the flywheel, I have one on each motor in my cat and never had a problem either..

Dont think there is a different flex plate ring gear, the top mount starter is reverse rotation. thats the only really weird thing. I ran both top and bottom with same flex plate.

Have ran top mounts for many years without issue. Use the thicker SFI flywheel, it reduces deflection upon bendix engagement. I bought my first set-up used from a guy that could never get it to work, got three starters out of the deal. The starter I currently use is the size of a beer can, propper set-up, and shimming goes a long way.

Originally Posted by Motomatt68

So do I need to have a different flywheel or is there a starter that will work with a standard flywheel?

Matt.

Most Marine flywheels have a step on both sides you have to remove the ring gear and put it on the outside of the flywheel, or if you run a flex plate which I don't recomend it has to have a spacer behind it or the starter has to be moved in aprox, 3/8 of a inch, and shimed properly
I personly use alu. flywheels.