1987 Bayliner Capri 1950 OMC Cobra bowrider starter bolt broke off.

[Mattimis]

I'm trying to get this old boat back in the water, but I've got to figure out how to take off the starter and extract the broken bolt. Not a lot of room down there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
If unable to remove things to gain access, then easiest way is to pull the motor, otherwise folks have used left hand twist drill bits. Issue with drilling is keeping it straight.

 

[Mattimis]

Thanks for your response.
Has anyone actually removed the broken bolt or pulled the motor? How hard is it to remove the motor?

 

[Bondo]

Thanks for your response.
Has anyone actually removed the broken bolt or pulled the motor? How hard is it to remove the motor?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor,..??..??

 

[alldodge]

Many have remove the bolt, even more have pulled the motor

Haven't said what motor but if its a V6 or V8, remove drive 6 nuts, Two bolts in the rear, 2 nuts on motor mounts (1 on each side). Disconnect electrical, fuel lines and control cables, then lift it out

 

[stresspoint]

unfortunately the motor needs to come out so as it can be turned on its side for good access to the broken bolt .
i have seen some hack jobs where people have tried to get the leftover out in boats and cars , its never pretty !.

 

[Mattimis]

Many have remove the bolt, even more have pulled the motor

Haven't said what motor but if its a V6 or V8, remove drive 6 nuts, Two bolts in the rear, 2 nuts on motor mounts (1 on each side). Disconnect electrical, fuel lines and control cables, then lift it out

It's a 3.0L omc cobra sterndrive, year is 1987.

 

[Mattimis]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor,..??..??

3.0L omc cobra sterndrive.

 

[alldodge]

It's a 3.0L omc cobra sterndrive, year is 1987.

Only difference is remove either the 2 lag bolts holding front mount or remove 4 bolts holding front bracket to block

Will need to check motor to drive alignment upon re-install

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30912/963/210

 

[Mattimis]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor,..??..??

It's a 4 cylinder 3.0L omc cobra sterndrive.

 

[Mattimis]

It's a 4 cylinder 3.0L omc cobra sterndrive. Are you aware of any videos of anyone removing the starter or removing the engine? Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull drive
Disconnect battery cables
Disconnect harness
Disconnect exhaust
Disconnect fuel line
Disconnect cables
Remove lag bolts from front mount, pull rear mount bolts

Lift motor out

If you have been removing the drive every year and keeping on top of maintenance, that whole process is under 45 minutes

 

[Mattimis]

Many have remove the bolt, even more have pulled the motor

Haven't said what motor but if its a V6 or V8, remove drive 6 nuts, Two bolts in the rear, 2 nuts on motor mounts (1 on each side). Disconnect electrical, fuel lines and control cables, then lift it out

It's a 4 cylinder 3.0L omc cobra sterndrive. How is that different from the v6 and v8? Are you aware of any videos removing the starter of engine? Thanks.

 

[Mattimis]

Only difference is remove either the 2 lag bolts holding front mount or remove 4 bolts holding front bracket to block

Will need to check motor to drive alignment upon re-install

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30912/963/210

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor,..??..??

 

[Keyboardman]

I think removing the engine might be a bit much. There's got to be a way to change out the starter without removing the engine. Just because a bolt broke off shouldn't stop the starter from coming off. I'm remembering an old OMC 3.0 would have three bolts, two on the bottom.

 

[topgun3690]

Just because a bolt broke off shouldn't stop the starter from coming off.

True...he can get the starter off w/o removing the engine.....problem is drilling the broken bolt and gettin it out, without buggering it up big time.....
See post#6.....

 

[Keyboardman]

True...he can get the starter off w/o removing the engine.....problem is drilling the broken bolt and gettin it out, without buggering it up big time.....
See post#6.....

So maybe the starter is held in place with just Two bolts from now on and not worry about getting it out. : )

 

[topgun3690]

So maybe the starter is held in place with just Two bolts from now on and not worry about getting it out. : )

So I guess the old "two out of three aint bad" philosophy applies here?

 

[Bondo]

So maybe the starter is held in place with just Two bolts from now on and not worry about getting it out. : )

Ayuh,.... There's only 2, 'n you need both,....

 

[Mattimis]

Ayuh,.... There's only 2, 'n you need both,....

Here's some pics showing how tight it is down there. Hopefully someone has a suggestion on how to get to the broken bolt and drill it out.