Sierra 18-5908 Heavy Duty Marine Starter for GM V-8 Engines - Standard Rotation, Top Front Entry Mount

The Sierra 18-5908 is a heavy duty marine starter built to meet or exceed original equipment quality for GM V-8 stern drive and inboard applications. It is a standard rotation, top-mount, front entry starter designed as a direct equivalent for a wide range of GM V-8 marine engine families, including the 454 Mag. MPI MIE, 460 TRS, 465, 500, 500 Bulldog, and 525 SC. Housed in a durable metal case, the unit is rated at 1.1 KW and is supplied ready to install with no core exchange required, so there is no need to send back a used unit as part of the purchase.

This starter is engineered to replace a broad set of OEM and cross-brand starters used across Mercruiser stern drive, OMC stern drive, Crusader, and Pleasurecraft powerplants, making it a straightforward swap for boat owners tracking down a failed or worn starter on a GM-based marine V-8. Confirm your engine's serial number range against the fitment details below before ordering, since several GM V-8 families share this part across different production runs.

Specifications

• Brand: Sierra
• Manufacturer Part Number: 18-5908
• Item Type: Starter
• Rotation: Standard Rotation
• Mount Type: Top, Front Entry
• Material: Metal
• Weight: 23.19 pounds
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 13.5 x 8 x 6 inches
• Wattage: 1.1 KW
• Engine Compatibility: GM V-8
• UPC: 030999875938

Fitment

• 454 Mag. MPI MIE, GM V-8, 1998 & Up (serial number L002200 & Up)
• 460 TRS, GM V-8, 1983-1986 (serial number range 4179554 to 6181046)
• 465, GM V-8, 1990-1994 (serial number range C849992 to F213244)
• 500, GM V-8, 1994-1995 (serial number F213293 & Up)
• 500 Bulldog, GM V-8, 1990-1996 (serial number C577254 & Up)
• 525 SC, GM V-8, 1991-1993 (serial number range D456000 to D763831)

Replaces (OEM)

• Arco 30457
• Crusader 42091
• GLM 74170
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 17251A4
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 808011A3
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 47455
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 65784A1
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 76965A1
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 76965A3
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 76965A4
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 99419A3
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 17251A2
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 17251A3
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 808011A4
• Mercruiser Stern Drive 808011A05
• OMC Stern Drive 982195
• OMC Stern Drive 984982
• OMC Stern Drive 981288
• OMC Stern Drive 986007
• Pleasurecraft RA122009

Frequently Asked Questions

What engines does the Sierra 18-5908 starter fit? The 18-5908 fits several GM V-8 marine engine families, including the 454 Mag. MPI MIE (serial number L002200 & Up), 460 TRS (1983-1986, serial numbers 4179554 to 6181046), 465 (1990-1994, serial numbers C849992 to F213244), 500 (1994-1995, serial number F213293 & Up), 500 Bulldog (1990-1996, serial number C577254 & Up), and 525 SC (1991-1993, serial numbers D456000 to D763831).

Is the 18-5908 a direct replacement for my OEM Mercruiser starter? Yes, the 18-5908 is built to meet or exceed original equipment quality and directly replaces a range of Mercruiser Stern Drive starters including 17251A4, 808011A3, 47455, 65784A1, 76965A1, 76965A3, 76965A4, 99419A3, 17251A2, 17251A3, 808011A4, and 808011A05.

Does this starter also cross over to OMC or Crusader part numbers? It does. The 18-5908 replaces OMC Stern Drive starters 982195, 984982, 981288, and 986007, Crusader 42091, Arco 30457, GLM 74170, and Pleasurecraft RA122009.

What are the dimensions and weight of the 18-5908 starter? This starter measures 13.5 x 8 x 6 inches and weighs 23.19 pounds.

What rotation and mounting style does the 18-5908 use? Standard rotation is used, with a top, front entry mounting configuration.

What is the 18-5908 starter made of? The Sierra 18-5908 has a metal housing and is rated at 1.1 KW.

Do I need to send in my old starter as a core exchange? No core exchange is required to purchase the Sierra 18-5908 starter.

What is included when I order the 18-5908? The order includes one Sierra 18-5908 starter, ready to install with no additional components required.

Is the Sierra 18-5908 a genuine part or an aftermarket unit? The 18-5908 is a Sierra-branded heavy duty starter manufactured to meet or exceed original equipment specifications, sold as a new unit rather than a remanufactured core-exchange part.

How do I know if my engine's serial number matches the 18-5908? Check your engine's serial number against the listed ranges, such as L002200 & Up for the 454 Mag. MPI MIE or C577254 & Up for the 500 Bulldog, since GM V-8 engine families were built across multiple serial number breaks that determine correct starter fitment for the 18-5908.

Will the 18-5908 work with a 460 TRS engine? Yes, the 18-5908 is listed for the 460 TRS GM V-8 built between 1983 and 1986, within serial number range 4179554 to 6181046.

What size electrical output does the 18-5908 provide? The starter is rated at 1.1 KW, matching the output needed for the GM V-8 marine engines it is designed to fit.