Will a starter that fits a chevy truck 4.3 inter-change with a chevy 4.3 marine application. thanks?

Question

Will a starter that fits a chevy truck 4.3 inter-change with a chevy 4.3 marine application. thanks?

Answer 1

DADDIO IS CORRECT DONT DO IT!!! YES its cheaper but in the long run you will be sorry....Thats because the marine version is sealed for spark so it wont blow up your boat!!!!

Answer 2

All electric components in a boat must be Coast Guard rated J1171.

Answer 3

Daddio hit it right on the nose. Marine starters have to have USCG stamped on them. They are sealed against sparks because of fumes in the engine compartment. Anything that takes electricity plus fuel lines should be marine rated.

Answer 4

It will fit. But before going "cheap" take this in mind. People do not realize there is a big difference between "auto and marine" applications. Auto applications do not have the extra safety measures built in. For example the starter....marine starters are sealed better to prevent moisture entering. Hence say when your boat floods due to plug leaks or water coming in filling the engine compartment. Also the internal components are more heavy duty. Alot of people do not realize that a marine engine has 100% more stress on it than its auto counterpart. A boats worst enemy is fire. Thats why every marine part has to be USCG approved.  Marine parts cost more but whats more important.....safety and getting to get that boat out or going cheap, risking something going bad resulting in not getting to use it at all??

Answer 5

Bolts right up.

Answer 6

Most GM starters will interchange depending on 2 things. bolt pattern and flywheel size. BUT..... As a shop owner I can tell you the reason why we DO NOT put on "truck starters". Imagine if you will--- You and your most loved friends and family are enjoying a long day of water activities. You don't notice anything unusual about the running of your 4.3 until you restart the boat for the 20th time and KABLUEEEY the non marine starter ignites the very minor fuel leak that developed that day.Unforeseen by anyone. If your lucky the blast will spit you into the water.

But hey, it might not happen to you or that other guy, but I know of 6 occasions that it did on my lake.

Point being .... Marine starters, alternators, and distributors are designed to prevent sparks or fire.

Automotive units ARE NOT!!!!!

Look on the net for a good deal on the right part. Try this part # 18-5913 it replaces most all Chevy starters and the link below has it for approx. $65 and that's new... not reman.

Just trying to help.

Answer 7

hi there....

If you use an auto part in your boat you are running the risk of an explosion.  Marine parts especially  starters distrbutors are specifically made for boat. They have to be sealed to ensure that salt water cannot penetrate. They also have to be seals and grounded so that they do not spark.

As you know ith I/O motors you have a blower to clear the engine compartment and bilge of gas fumes to reduce the risk of explosions  when you start the engine.   The second saftey feature of the marine  engine is the marine parts.. which are secifically made not to spark.  

If you are stopped by  the coast guard, sherrifs department  local fisheries and wildlife protection  they will lookover your boat and beleive me  if dont have a spark arrestor on your carbs they will order youback to shore.  And if you have replaced parts they will look at them especially shiny ones and if they dont see the marine stamp they will order you to shore too... And if they want to be really nasty they will charge you with  operating an unsafe water craft...

How do i know this... well we were stopped in our  OL Larson shark....   The fwc officer checked to make sure the blower would work, that we had a spark arrester and yep i had replaced the starter with a new one and luckily it was marine...    And he said glad to see the parts were inorder and not auto parts,...  I asked why.. and he said... he has seen many boats with I/O  go up in flames becasue of  auto parts  esecially starter motors....

We did get a warning for going above no wake speed... My fault as my wife was driving and she souldnt work out why the motor died at lower speeds...  And when we were stopped  she said this to the officer and as she said it  i remembered the choke was pulled right out... it ran nicely after that...

Answer 8

i do believe it will. marine starter are pricey why i'm not sure other than they try to make water tight. cheaper to get it rebuilt.

Answer 9

Check with www.mygmlink.com   or www.chevrolet.com  or call 1-800-222-1020