Sky Tec starters or any other suggestions

[hilltop170]

The old Delco-Remy push button starter on my O300-D has bit the dust, still working but worn out, all rusted up on the inside, and just about junk. It is the same starter as on O470 and O520 Continentals and not eligible for the B&C starter conversion. The engine overhauler says get a Sky Tec. Anyone with operating experience with this style of Sky Tec starter care to share your thoughts? Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Richard

[GAHorn]

Contact AeroTech of Louisville for a reasonably priced, exact replacement exchange starter. (less than $200. Forget what the engine overhauler told you. My 2 cents.)
http://www.aerotechlou.com/starters.shtml

[Robert Eilers]

I replaced the Delco- Remy pull starter with a Sky Tec. I am happy with the starter. However, I went through three brand new Sky Tec starters before I was provided one without internal problems. Sky Tec was very good about replacing the starters with problems - but, I was still stuck with the installation and removal costs. My current Sky Tec starter has been trouble free.

[spiro]

IMO, SkyTec, if you've got the $. More torque, better reliability, 50-yr newer technology, lighter/smaller. Early models had a problem with integration of perm mag motors w/ the TCM starter clutch but they've got that worked out now.

- paul

[hilltop170]

Thanks for all the info guys. I appreciate it. It was another hard decision.

I decided to go with the Sky Tec for several reasons. First, Glacier Airparts close to home had three in stock and they sell a lot of them at list price including shipping. I could not find anyone else with even one in stock outside of Alaska. Second, the Sky Tec has its own internal clutch which helps positively disengage the starter clutch in the angle drive adapter. As expensive as the starter drive lash-up is on the O300-D, I want to make sure the starter does not contribute to damaging it. There are several types of starter clutch assemblies and I don't claim to understand all the differences but I've been told they all can be troublesome especially if they don't release properly. Third, the Sky Tec is several pounds lighter than the old original Delco Remy or the huge Prestolite. Fourth, it is new and has a guarantee for whatever good that does, hopefully I won't need to find out.

The only negatives I have found are the higher cost, it just doesn't look as sturdy, and it has a ten second cranking limit between cooling cycles. As easily as the old O300 has started in the past, it should not be a big concern.

I have my fingers crossed.
Richard

[GAHorn]

(Caution: The following comments are very much tongue-in-cheek and offered for the sake of pure devilment/controversy. If you even suspect you have an anger-management problem do not read it.)

IMO, SkyTec, if you've got the $. More torque, better reliability, 50-yr newer technology, lighter/smaller. Early models had a problem with integration of perm mag motors w/ the TCM starter clutch but they've got that worked out now.

- paul

That's funny Paul... the 2006 Cessna 172 is also "50-yr newer technology." (I don't think electric motors are anything new. Lighter, cheaper construction for more money than the original is a newer sales-philosophy however. )
I can't think of all the times I've said, or heard someone say, something good about "the good ol' days" or "the way they used to make quality stuff". And I think it's humorous that we buy 50 year old airplanes because we like classics, complain about operating costs, then start spending money "updatiing" them and adding gadgets so they no longer resemble their classic origins.
The "new" type starters are not more reliable. They are more failure prone. If one compares a freshly mfr'd/overhauled original (many of which are well over 50 years old and still operating very reliably) with the new, Chinese-made "lightweight" permanent magnet starters, ...I'll bet dollars to rice-hulls...er....doughnuts, the chinese things will be in the trash heap in well less than 50 years. Many of them do not survive their original warranties.
Can't argue about the weight-savings, however. It's significant. If you aboslutely can't stand hauling around 10 lbs that you never noticed you were hauling around for the last 50 years...get a new chinese starter.
I prefer originality (doh) and keeping my fellow Americans employed, even if they're over in KY.

(Seriously, don't take my word for this....read what Sacramento Sky Ranch says: http://www.sacskyranch.com/faqstarter.htm )

[hilltop170]

George-
You may be right. No offense taken. Obsolete doesn't mean unusable, just that it has been superceded. I'm not throwing away the old Delco starter though, it will go in the pile of the other old starters and generators I have replaced in the last 30 years just in case it is ever needed. It worked fine the last time it was used but they all wear out sooner or later. This particular one has the shaft worn well beyond serviceable limits and would not be a good core. We'll see how well the Sky Tec lasts in normal light usage that most of us have. I'll be sure and update this thread if/when it gives up.

It's funny about what Sacramento Sky Ranch says in their FAQ about the difficiencies of the lightweight starters. They sure were trying to sell me a Sky Tec except they didn't have any, said they were "hard to get" and sell out just as soon as a new shipment arrives. I wonder why? Do they fail that fast or are they that good? We'll see.
Richard

[GAHorn]

Ha!
Yes, Richard, sometimes we do things that are counter-productive to our own best interests. I'll be trying to get B&C and SkyTec both to donate starters to next year's convention. If they read my personal opinions about their products they'll surely consider me a fuitcake. (Had to think twice before I said that last comment in front of all you guys.)
Sky Ranch makes money selling parts and services. If a customer decides he wants a lightweight starter and calls them asking if they carry them, they'll certainly sell it. They also sell rebuilt and rebuilding services. I'm sure their profit margins are greater on the lightweight starters than on the rebuilds. It must place them in a quandry to decide what to tell the customer.
I believe their best bet is to simply tell the truth and let the customer decide what he wants. I'm willing to carry 10 extra pounds for originality/reliability. The next guy, who's had some re-occuring bad diagnosese may be fed up with troubleshooting and decide he'd rather start over and save 10 lbs to boot.
We all get to decide what we do with out own property. I sometimes need to remember that.

[hilltop170]

That's why there is chocolate AND vanilla. Either one goes well with fruitcake.

[jrenwick]

That's why there is chocolate AND vanilla. Either one goes well with fruitcake.

One of the wisest postings I've ever seen on this forum, or any other, for that matter.
Just saying!

John