Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

[briggs09hp]

Hello,

I am currently looking to buy my first boat. I do not know much about boats, but I am learning. I do know quite alot about automotive though. The boat I am looking at has a 1989 Mercruiser 3.0L 4 cylinder. The engine runs good, and I have driven the boat a few times. However, the owner was honest with me and told me that the stater is intermittent. He took it to his mechanic for a starter replacement, however the mechanic found that one of the mounting bolts that hold the starter to the block is snapped. I looked at this today. There are two bolts, a long one and a short one. The short one (outer bolt) has snapped about a 1/4 of and inch within the block (none of the bolt is protruding from the block) I have included a picture. It does not look corroded at all.

The owner is willing to cut me a deal because of this problem. When i was looking at the boat, i noticed that there was a small angle bracket that was removed when the old starter was removed.

I am wondering if someone can post a pic, or show me a picture of their starter and how it is mounted. Is there an angle bracket that holds the starter on? I really do not want to pull the engine and go through the hassle of removing that broken bolt, so i am thinking i can just get a grade 8 bolt for the bolt that is still good, and use this angle bracket, and i think the starter should be ok. I mean, it has probablly been like this for a long time. There are no abnormal noises duuring starting and i dont see any flywheel damage.

I would hate to let this boat go because of a broken bolt. And i can only imagine what a mechanic would charge to pull a motor. It is in very nice shape, and a good starter boat for me.

What do you think? Thanks for any help,

Matt

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

the reason the bolt broke in the first place is becuase somebody removed the bracket on the block that holds the starter.

3.0 starters MUST have this bracket installed otherwise, one of the bolts will break again.

the broken bolt can be removed using a left hand drill bit and an easy-out.

DO NOT attempt to turn the starter without both bolts secure AND the bracket installed

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

yup, use a mirror, a right angle drill, a left hand drill bit and an easy out to remove the broken stud. i had the same problem a month ago and a buddy of mine with smaller arms came over and got the piece out for me.

then buy a permanent magnet starter, which are smaller, a lot lighter and produce a lot more starting torque--and they don't use that goofy extra bracket, just the two main bolts at the rear of the engine. i had bad luck with two arco starters (and they were nasty about warranty claims). now i have a "DB Electrical Starter-Alternator Item #13251931, New Mercruiser 3.0 Marine Starter Long-Short Mount 6563 SDR0059, Price: $59.99". I had a problem with the bendix sticking, but they sent me a replacement starter immediately with no argument. one thing about these permanent magnet starters--don't let 'em get wet, they are very finicky about that--the old delco styles handled wet conditions much better. but a wet bilge needs to be corrected anyway, so this shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

The OEM starter bracket can't be used with most of the aftermarket starters. No way of attaching it.
You should also use new starter bolts to keep the gap between the starter and the bolts to a minimum.
Most of the aftermarket starters also may require shimming to prevent damage, some may even rub against the flywheel with the starter housing. (not good) check yours.

 

[totx]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Hello,

I am wondering if someone can post a pic, or show me a picture of their starter and how it is mounted. Is there an angle bracket that holds the starter on?

Matt

I have two engines, approx 77 and 86.
Both starters mounted same way, no bracket. (2 bolts)
Aftermarket starter?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Both starters mounted same way, no bracket. (2 bolts)
Aftermarket starter?

Ayuh,... Not necessarily,... Just missing the little support bracket...

 

[totx]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Ayuh,... Not necessarily,... Just missing the little support bracket...

Ups, seems like only my 77 mod have the support bracket.

(The 86 model is not dismantled by me, but can't find the bracket, and no thread hole on the starter)

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

If you can get to it try a small fine point punch and tap the broken bolt in the ccw direction and it may turn out enough to get it with needle nose plyers. But never the less you do need the angle bracket to stabilize the starter.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Trust in the OEM engineering team and go with stock parts.

Extract the broken fastener, each and every extraction is a unique, life enriching leaning experience regardless of how many hours you have held a wrench

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Well said P O P E Y E There a few ways to do it but if you do not want to repeat the extraction process use the right stuff when reassembling.

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

> Trust in the OEM engineering team...

yeah, the ones who put the sacrificial powerpath component in the engine coupler...

so you have to pull the engine to replace it.

 

[ReedvilleVaBoater]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Done... Sorry

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Start a new thread with your question, don't hijack someones elses thread with your question.

 

[crownline182]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

I had the long starter mounting bolt break up inside the engine block. Used a left hand drill bit and a small right angle drive, and a "square" easy out to remove the broken bolt without damaging the threads in the block. Made a guide from a piece of oak and used a guide bushing that I got at Lowe's. Drilled two holes in the oak that corresponded to the two holes in the block. Used the one to mount the oak piece to the short bolt hole. Installed a bushing in the other hole in the oak and left it proud so that it entered the threaded bore in the block where the broken bolt was lodged. Used the bushing to ensure that I drilled into the center of the broken bolt. Worked very well and eliminated the need to remove the engine.

 

[toma1955]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Good forum! I'm having the same problem, this is the second time the long bolt on the starter shear off. It cost me $300 to pull out the engine to have the bolt replace, it last about 10 starts and the same thing happen. Questions, 1. what is the bracket part number? 2. What is the part number of the long bolt? 3. How do I know if it has to be shim? If it does need to be shim what's the part number of the shims? 4. How do I adjust it for the shims?

Thanks, Tom

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 L Starter Mounts

Best to start a new thread Tom, don't hijack someone elses thread with your questions. When you do start a new thread, include the Merc serial number for your engine.

Welcome to iboats.