Outboard Stater Motor - Failure to Launch!

[BuilderFL]

The stater spins but not enough to engage the pinion to the flywheel and turn the motor. I have checked the 3 old months battery and even had it tested at Advance Auto Parts (shows good 12.8 vdc and with 824 CCA), the cable connections and the battery switch, also OK. Using jumper cables, bypassed the solenoid and used a remote starter...the same. Pulled the starter, cleaned it and found no broken components. The brushes, springs and magnets appeared to be in good shape with no significant wear, Bendix OK not gummy. Bench tested the starter with jumper cables and still the same. Only thing I don't know how to test is the armature, but it also looks good. Don't know if its worth spending $40 on a brush/spring Kit and then having to end up spending $250 on a new starter.
Any suggestions you guys can give me as to testing the armature or what else I can do?
Thanks!

[spareparts]

what motor? Check on amazon for a replacement, you will be suprised

[phatdaddy]

sorry builder, i just hauled a 86 150 to the scrapper and i meant to pull the starter. i didn't think about it til the next day.

i'm sure you can get it rebuilt locally,but spares right, amazon is probably cheaper

[BuilderFL]

Merc. 1988 200hp S/N OB250710

[BuilderFL]

Amazon has this:
MERCURY MERCURY MARINER Outboard Starter 115 135 150 200 225 250 HP 50-86976 NEW by DB ELECTRICAL STARTER-ALTERNATOR. for $80.90. Its such a low price that concerns me. Do we know the quality of these products?

[BuilderFL]

They look legit. Check these prices:
http://www.dbelectrical.com/

[THEFERMANATOR]

They're chinese built pieces and not OEM by any means, but for the money they are good. I've used a few from them and they seemed to be good.

[smokeonthewater]

I have two of their alternators on my 30'er... seem fine to me

[Genie Aye]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

They're chinese built pieces and not OEM by any means, but for the money they are good. I've used a few from them and they seemed to be good.

Most of the OEM's equipment is built there too!!

I work for a rotating electric company that sells these--most are made overseas--for the price it is hard to beat---the biggest problem with these starters is the attention to detail---bolt torques, brushes installed wrong or crooked etc--just little stuff you can check over first before install--I know you should not have too check them--but if you buy from the OEM--it most likeley is offshore stuff and then the OEM may check them as stated or not for 3 to 4 times the money--give it a try. I know our company just sold a first order to Fl distributor--a starter order of $30,000--off shore and checked over by us before we send out.