On Sun, 26 Sep 2004 23:46:04 GMT, "Douglas St. Clair"
wrote:

My starter died - so I went to AutoZone to get a new one. I had them
cross-reference a 68 Mustang, since it had the comparable 427 engine. I
installed it yesterday, and the thing turned beautifully.

This morning I tried to fire it up, and gas came spewing out of the carb.
Hmmm... that was strange. I've been meaning to rebuild the carb, so what
the heck. Off to AutoZone for a carb kit. Finished rebuilding the carb
about 30 minutes ago, and tried starting it again. Nope.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! The marine 427 is Right-Hand rotation. The starter
is spinning the wrong freakin way! Hope I didn't do any damage, I can't
imagine opposite rotation would.

Now the question... anybody know a good source for finding a starter part #?
Here's what I know about the engine - it's a Ford block, 427, and the
service manual refers to it as "Interceptor / Eaton Marine Division". The
wrong rotation starter cost only $35. Something tells me a "marine" (aka
opposite rotation) is going to be a little more...

Lesson learned -
Doug


There is more to a marine starter than just the cost. It is designed to
prevent the arcing from the commutator or starter solenoid from lighting up
any fumes that might have accumulated in the engine compartment. Take a
closer look at the 2 starters and you may see what I am referring to.
Oftentimes a screen is used, which would extinguish a flame, to cover any
open areas. (Screens were used to cover the flame in the old methane
detectors that were used in coal mines, the flame burned brighter when
methane was present)

Just for safety sake, I would stick with a real marine duty starter.