Engine rotation

[koviak]

Hey guys, 1989 10 meter with 454 crusaders. Need to replace the starter on port engine, what rotation is this ? clockwise/counterclockwise or left hand/right hand ? They are straight drives and both distribs. rotate the same. Thanks

[prowlersfish]

counterclockwise ( looking at the fly wheel end ) also called left hand

bottom line it is the normal rotaion ( same as a car/truck) But always check the drives on the old and new starter as some times folks change things .

[Jerry]

When in doubt, get the number off of the starter and cross it over.
I had a guy call the store once and ask for a starter for his single inboard boat. When the counter guy looked it up they showed both rotation engines so he asked the man who didn't know what he had.
We then told him to just pull it off and bring it in and we could look at the number and the drive on the starter.
Instead of doing that, he comes in with what he said was his starter number. We sold him one, he installs it and proceeds to hydrolock the engine as it turned over backwards and sucked water in through the exhaust and filled the cylinders.
When he came back in all angry and with the old starter, I could see the number he gave us was not the same as the number on the old starter. Come to find out he grabbed the number out of the owners manual for the engine and it listed both rh and lh. He had just grabbed one and went with it instead of taking the time to pull his starter. He was in a hurry and it turned bad fast.

[koviak]

Thanks guys, just off the phone with supplier and was told it is righthand rotation (top mount). will be taking it off tonight and matching up from there. Did not want to suck in water so I want to be sure. Will probaly rebuild the old one as a back up or put it on craigslist.

[prowlersfish]

Chack the drive to be safe that sould be a left hand engine , but could use a right hand started if mounted to the rear ( what you call a high mount?)

[koviak]

Pulled out starter this evening, man what a pain in the a$$. The engine is a left hand rotation and a high mount. He said it is clockwise rotation but will check the drive gear bevel to match up.

[Sea Play'n]

My 1985 11 M has counter rotating 454s. Port engine is LH and the starboard is RH. (it is the oddball) Marine engine rotation is as observed from the flywheel end, or opposite to a car! Crusader puts a plaque on the top of the flywheel. It is just below a black rubber cover that has"remove to time engine" molded into it. The plaque will be stamped LH or RH, then the HP, then the serial number. I can email a photo if anyone is interested. I carry a spare starter for each engine as they are different rotation and have the bevel on the bendix gear ground on opposite sides.
Hugh

[koviak]

Thanks, I have already replaced starter. Found the tag on the bellhousing with rotation on it.