Starter issue or more? 96 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II

[ricker6_1]

Got stranded with family, starter bolts were loose. Starter wouldn't engage, wore out gears, metal files at fly wheel but fly wheel teeth didn't look chipped. Similar thing happened earlier in the summer old starter broke off bolt and got it replaced starter with cheap Chinese version. 2 Questions. 1. I was thinking of putting lock washers and locktite on the starter bolts to keep them from loosening. These are starter bolts not regular bolts. 2. Do I have a bigger issue? Hydrolocked, which I am going to check. I was going to change the oil to check for metal filings. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Starter issue or more? 96 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II

If the starter has been loose for a long time it could cause ring gear teeth to get beveled the added pressure could cause the broken bolts. They would not look chipped just worn down. You also need to use a marine grade starter not the cheap automotive replacement.

 

[ricker6_1]

Re: Starter issue or more? 96 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II

If the starter has been loose for a long time it could cause ring gear teeth to get beveled the added pressure could cause the broken bolts. They would not look chipped just worn down. You also need to use a marine grade starter not the cheap automotive replacement.

Both starters are marine starters. The first was the factory installed and was better quality. The latter, marine grade $80 on ebay. After reading threads automotive starter not the way to go.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Starter issue or more? 96 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen II

Every time you remove the starter bolts they should be replaced with NEW ones. They are special and only meant for single use.
They have a knurled shoulder that centers and holds the starter in the right position. If the starter comes loose you need new bolts.

Yea locktite might help, but make sure you have good enough access to the starter to remove it when needed it can be tough.