starter, repair or replace

I just did mine a couple of months ago, take your starter out there's two bolts that old it to the flywheel besides the cable bolts. You'll need a foot long extension to get to the bottom bolt. Take it to an auto electric place or a parts store and have them check it. Most likely you'll notice rust falling out of it and it's probably bad. Now get out of the auto parts store because they wont have what you need. Correct craft or a decent dealer will have a left rotation starter but they'll want $500.00. I found an auto electric repair place that was able to order a marine starter for $225.00,you want a marine starter or you'll void your insurance. It's the first thing they look at if you have a problem.

You can take it to a shop and have it rebuilt for a whole lot cheaper than a new or remaned. Last starter I had rebuilt cost me $70 or something like that. I've had starters rebuilt and had very good luck with them. That would be my first effort IMO. Then again, the last starter I had was rebuilt four times in three years by three different shops. Worked fine for a few months and then had issues again. I finally got tired of pulling that damn thing out all the time and bought a brand new one. That was two trouble free years ago and I am soooooo happy I did that.

Chris that nose cone is called a "drive end housing", and all the new styles have a needle roller bearing to support the armature.
The older ones had a "oilite bushing" that needs replacement with a rebuild.Also the commutator end cap has a bushing too , this needs a new one too, along with a new "brake washer", thats the leather washer .
The gear is called a "starter drive" or "Bendix" just a name brand slang that descibes the same part.If it is not worn and is not slipping lube the splines and reassemble with new brushes.
Two hours of labor includes R&R starter and rebuild with 20.00 in parts.Done properly a good return in labor/parts VS a rebuilt unit from Bubba's Auto Electric & Tanning Salon.............Boat dr

Thanks for the info gents. I'm going to limit my involvement to just removing the thing for a professional rebuild. I guess I'll need to buy a longer extension for that bottom bolt. Steve, I just gave the guys at Hans a call. Sounds like they might even be able to get it fixed tomorrow. If not, I'll just ride around this weekend with a hammer.

According to the manual, it is a right rotation motor. I'm not sure if that translates to reverse rotation or not. Now that I have the starter off, the gear on the end (Bendix, right?), turns freely to the left. Should that be the info the rebuilder needs to know?

Steve,
I'm going to call them in the morning with the model of the starter. When I talked to them today, I didn't know that info so they couldn't say for sure if they had all the parts needed.
Ryan