I'm building a wire harness in a 72 Olds jet boat. Open engine compartment, so it looks like an auto starter. The starter has no markings on the solenoid posts. I'm guessing the outside post is the crank/start post, the inner one is the ballast resistor bypass. Can anyone confirm?

 

 

The “S” terminal is the start wire. The other one is “R” , it supplies battery voltage to the coil, bypassing the resistance wire or ballast resistor. If your using electronic ignition, the S terminal is all you need for the starter to crank.

 

Thanks, that's what mine looks like, just no markings. Probably Chinese aftermarket.

 

I'm not sure an open engine compartment would make it exempt from having a marine rated starter or not. You may want to check with Coast Guard regulations. If it is supposed to have a marine starter any insurance claim would be denied. If it were mine, I would want the Marine starter just for the extra safety. I sure would hate to ruin a good day fishing at the middle of the lake, then go to start it and have a fire. It wouldn't be any fun swimming back to shore watching my boat burn. It might be a good idea to check the regulations. I know the Marine starter is a bit more expensive, but it might be worth it.