1981 Mercruiser 350 Starter Bolt

bigred1

Cadet
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
7
Good day- I'm having a heck of a time getting the top starter bolt out of the port side engine in my 1981 Well Craft. The bolt head is so close to the starter housing that it's impossible the get anything other than an open end wrench on it and that only only rounds it off. I tried grinding the outside end of a box wrench(5/8") to make it thinner but still too thick to fit in between the bottom of the bolt head and starter housing. I generously applied PB Blaster and am letting it sit over night, but unless it makes it hand-tight (lol) I'm still going to have to figure out something to turn it out. There's plenty of room to get to it, and the bottom one came right out, no problem. Thanks for your opinions and ideas in advance!!
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 1981 Mercruiser 350 Starter Bolt

Thin wall 9/16" socket. Sometimes have to hammer them on.

(port engine) That makes it even harder.

When you put it back together, get NEW OEM starter bolts. They have 1/2" heads so you can put wrenches and any socket on them.
 
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