The starter motor is one of the hardest-working electrical components on any outboard engine. Every engine start depends on the starter delivering enough torque to rotate the flywheel, build cylinder compression, and bring the ignition and fuel systems online.
 
As starter motors age, worn brushes, bushings, bearings, solenoids, and armatures can reduce cranking speed, leading to hard starting, intermittent engagement, or complete starter failure.
 
The right-hand ARCO 5380 8-Tooth Starter Motor, available from Buckshot Racing #77, is a premium direct replacement for Mercury OEM 79472, 79472T2, 794721, 794722, and 884238T. Designed for Mercury's legendary V6 two-stroke engines using a Right-Hand (RH) 8-tooth pinion gear, it delivers dependable cranking power for both recreational and high-performance applications.
 
Fits Mercury 2.0L, 2.4L & 2.5L V6 Engines
 
This starter fits many Mercury Marine and Mercury Racing 2.0L, 2.4L, and 2.5L V6 outboards equipped with the factory 8-tooth starter drive.
 
Common applications include numerous 135 HP, 150 HP, 200 HP, and 225 Pro Max engines, along with many high-performance Mercury Racing models, including the XRi EFI, 260 EFI, 280 ROS, 300 Drag, SST-120, and S3000.
 
It is commonly used on carbureted, EFI, and Mercury Racing engines built throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.
 
Because Mercury produced several starter variations during production, always verify your starter tooth count and engine serial number before ordering.
 
Built for Reliable Cranking Performance
 
High-compression Mercury V6 engines require a starter capable of producing consistent cranking torque while withstanding repeated starts and harsh marine conditions.
 
The ARCO 5380 is engineered with heavy-duty internal components designed to provide reliable engagement with the flywheel ring gear while maintaining excellent durability in freshwater and saltwater environments.
 
A properly functioning starter helps ensure consistent cranking speed, allowing the ignition system to generate adequate spark and the fuel system to deliver the proper air-fuel mixture for dependable starting.
 
When Should a Starter Be Replaced?
 
Starter motors gradually wear with use. Common symptoms of a failing starter include slow cranking, intermittent engagement, clicking without engine rotation, grinding noises, excessive current draw, or failure to engage the flywheel.
 
Corrosion, worn brushes, damaged bearings, or a worn starter drive can all contribute to reduced performance.
 
Replacing a weak starter before complete failure helps avoid unnecessary downtime and reduces the possibility of damaging the flywheel ring gear.
 
Installation Tips
 
Before installing a new starter, inspect the battery, battery cables, and engine ground connections. Low battery voltage, poor cable connections, or corroded terminals can produce symptoms similar to a defective starter. Inspect the flywheel ring gear for damaged teeth and verify that the engine uses the correct 8-tooth starter drive before installation.
 
After installation, confirm proper battery voltage during cranking and verify that the starter engages and disengages smoothly.
 
Buckshot Racing #77 Tech Tip
 
Many starter problems are caused by poor electrical connections rather than the starter itself. Always load-test the battery, inspect both positive and ground cables, and verify voltage drop during cranking before replacing the starter.
 
High-resistance cable connections can significantly reduce starter performance, particularly on high-compression Mercury Racing engines.
 
Final Thoughts
 
The ARCO 5380 8-Tooth Starter Motor is a premium replacement for Mercury OEM 79472, 79472T2, and related part numbers used on many Mercury Marine and Mercury Racing 2.0L, 2.4L, and 2.5L V6 outboards.
 
Whether you're maintaining a 135 HP, 150 HP, 200 HP, 225 Pro Max, 260 EFI, 280 ROS, 300 Drag, SST-120, or S3000, this starter provides the reliable cranking performance needed to keep your Mercury engine starting quickly and consistently.
 
Contact Mike Hill with technical questions at 714-697-1716