New Starter

[DsquareD]

I just changed the starter on my CP27 while docked in a county park for the night.

It wasn't my preferred location to make the repair, but at least it's done. Fortunately, the previous owner stripped everything off the old motor and saved a bin full of parts for me. He even had the starter tested and it had a tag from the rebuild shop on it. I put that tag on the old starter so my wife will know where to drop it off to be rebuilt as our future spare.

Tools needed: 13mm deep socket, swivel, socket extension (at least a foot, but I used a 24" one), 3/8 drive ratchet wrench, 13mm ratcheting box end wrench, 13mm open end wrench, needle nose pliers.

I disconnected the batteries and removed them as well as the bottom companionway step for easier access. The small wire was simply a spade type connector which came off easily with the needle nose pliers. The larger wire on the solenoid stud was held in place with a 13mm nut. That was the easy part.

Next I had to get the old starter out. The upper nut, which I thought was bolted to a stud, was actually a through bolt, which necessitated getting another wrench behind the flywheel housing. I used the socket, swivel, extension, ratchet, and box wrench to loosen this fastener. The lower bolt was a little trickier, as it is right behind the engine mount, so no socket could fit. I used the open end wrench to hold the bolt head and the ratcheting box wrench to loosen the nut. The ratcheting box wrench made this job much, much easier.

After retrieving fallen washers, I was able to wiggle the old starter out of position. I was a little worried at first when it seemed like it would not get past the engine mount. With a little twisting and adjusting of hoses and wires it eventually came out.

Then it was fairly simple to reverse the process with a little prayer to my Lord and Savior. Before disconnecting the batteries, I took pictures, so reconnecting was easy (love my smart phone). Feeling rather confident, I buttoned everything up. Then I bestowed the honor of firing it up on my wife. She hit the buttons and it jumped to life.

So what started as a bad morning, (but not until after coffee from the Aeropress), ended up as a pretty good day.

[deisher6]

Hey D^2*D:
Thanks for the post.  I took a close look at the starter when I replaced the transmission.  With the bell housing off it was pretty accessible. 

At that time I was having intermittent starting problems. A mechanic tugged on the ground strap and suggested that I clean it up and move it to a better place.  I cleaned the connection up and applied a dielectric grease.  I left it connected original location.  Have not had any problems since.

Good work.

regards charlie

[DsquareD]

Hey D^2*D:
Thanks for the post.  I took a close look at the starter when I replaced the transmission.  With the bell housing off it was pretty accessible. 

At that time I was having intermittent starting problems. A mechanic tugged on the ground strap and suggested that I clean it up and move it to a better place.  I cleaned the connection up and applied a dielectric grease.  I left it connected original location.  Have not had any problems since.

Good work.

regards charlie

I was hoping mine would be that simple. Sure was nice having a spare on hand though.

[redfishnc]

Congratulations on the starter repair.  I applaud those capable of doing repairs.  You must have felt the achievement award for having a spare starter...  I always hope when the time comes I can remember these posts or at least have Wi-Fi to contact the poster.

Wayne
Sea Witch 27

[DsquareD]

The old starter has been repaired and picked up already from Green Bay Rebuilders. It was only $60. It will now reside in the spare parts bin.