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2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 6:13 pm
by Jonathanpcecil
Hello fellow boaters...I'm struggling to learn if the starter on my starboard engine rotates in the same direction as the port? My starters are Delco Remy and of coarse they're obsolete with no replacements available. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Regards.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 6:28 pm
by pepmyster
I believe they would be the same, both engines are facing the same way, it's the props that change. Same transmission and same engine assy.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 6:30 pm
by km1125
Starters are some of the easiest things to get rebuilt if you can't find a replacement.

If you have the serial numbers on the engines you should be able to tell their rotation. Then you just need to know how the starter is mounted, either in front of the flywheel or behind.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 6:41 pm
by bud37
I agree, both engines are standard.....do you have the engine serial numbers, Mercury has an online parts you can source and there were some starters available on e bay I found just after a quick look, but need the right serial. Remember to remind the rebuilder they are marine if you have them rebuilt.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 7:36 pm
by mjk1040
FYI; even though a starter can be rebuilt, and I do not know for sure if Marine style starters vs. vehicle starters, but if they are AC Delco starters I would strongly recommend getting a NEW and not rebuilt AC Delco starter. When I was in the garage business I never had any luck with GM rebuilt starters, seems within the same year as I installed a GM rebuilt starter I was changing it out again. They tell me GM starters had a tendency to get a flat spot in the armature and thus the failures on the rebuilds.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: February 28th, 2019, 9:29 pm
by Viper
Unless a previous owner changed something, you'll have two standard rotating engines for that boat vintage. Prop rotation is changed at the transmission so both starters will be the same rotation. Which ever route you take; new or rebuilt, ensure it's marine rated.

Before we possibly jump to conclusions, what steps have been taken to determine that the starter is faulty? What diagnostics were performed? What is/isn't happening?

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: March 1st, 2019, 12:12 am
by tomschauer
Jonathan, a quick search shows these marine starters are available anywhere for about $233.

Re: 2001 396 with mercruiser 8.1s Horizons

Posted: March 1st, 2019, 11:19 am
by SplashyLady
Jonathanpcecil wrote:Source of the post Hello fellow boaters...I'm struggling to learn if the starter on my starboard engine rotates in the same direction as the port? My starters are Delco Remy and of coarse they're obsolete with no replacements available. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Regards.


According to the Mercury parts site, the starter is part number 808011A4. These seem to be readily available:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Marine-Sta ... ctupt=true