351w starter question

the new small starters were made to save weight in cars , the bigger around the starter the more power , MES for $139 and don't have to worry about it for 5 years , I fish 35 miles out , so it has to start , even with seatow ,http://www.mesmarine.com/warranty.html

this is what I put on my 86 FN 5 years ago , still works fine , do't mess with rebuild's to hard to change in a FN , this is for reverse rotation http://www.amarket.com/mes337ml.htm

When you say the starter would not engage, do you mean it would not engage the flywheel or wouldn't rotate electrically? If the later, what checks have you done to the electrics?

If it was me, I'd call skidim and ask them (so if they send you one they recommended and it doesn't work, they can take it back and ship the correct one). Also, I'd want them to confirm the one with the solenoid on top of the starter will fit your block. Other than that (and making sure it is the correct rotation), I don't see any reason why it would be a problem (although you'll have to route the solenoid wire from the key switch down to where the starter is, as well as the battery positive cable--maybe you can get a different length cable that goes from where the current battery terminal-to-solenoid cable connects to the battery-source terminal (on the power panel on the rear of the engine), and run one cable from the battery-source terminal to the solenoid on the starter--you don't want to splice that cable... ;-)