Re: HELP!!! 25hp Starter Bolt Hole Stripped
I went through this with my older 25 hp. Same location as yours. When it broke, some of the "finger" that projects off the block also broke off. Previous owner had tapped what was left. Lasted for about a month. My attempt at fix was to drill out and use a "Keen insert". It's the same idea as a helicoil, but more substantial. You tap a new bigger hole, and then screw in the insert which has a locking pin in it. Then I used locktite on the bolt. That held for a season. When it broke it took most of what was left of that little finger off the block.
I took it to a shop with a good machinist that I know. He didn't want to weld the block there to rebuild the finger.... too much chance a bad weld or melting the block. Instead he built a new linkage out of aluminum that bolts to the carb mounting bolts and goes across. The starter is now attached to this new piece. It has been sturdy for 3 years now.
IIRC correctly starter bracket has 3 bolts. The one on the front (which I think is what you're talking about), one on the top, shared by the rope recoil, and one on the side towards the back. Make sure you check the other bolts. Chances are they are loose or those holes are buggered up too. Lastly, however you fix it, make sure that the starter bracket ends up being in the right spot. Especially if the finger on the block has been damaged, then you need to make sure that the bracket is not in too close or too far away for the bendix to match with the flywheel afterwards.
Good luck.