Starter Bolts

[MAGNUM SERVICES]

Anybody ever have a problem with starter bolts breaking? One broke and I could not get it out of the block so I put a new one from the Dealer in with washers to shorten it about a 1/4 in. and now it is broken too! Any ideas on how to get the broken pieces out?

 

[just a number]

you might be about to 'walk' it out with a flat screwdriver. other than than it's the drill out horror.

 

[bison]

Most times you can wiggle them back out,if not,a lefthanded drillbit
should do the trick.

make sure you got the little bracket between the block and the starter on the rear of the starter.

 

[Acesneights1]

This has been discussed many many times but the bottom line is the 2 MAJOR reason starter bolts break..
A)The rear support bracket is missing. It is a must have.
B)Someone used ether on it. Starting fluid can blow the starter right off the block.
Now that said The ONLY Bolts to use are FACTORY GM Starter bolts. As far as getting the old ones out the best way I have found is to track down your freindly neighborhood Snap-On dealer and get a set of reverse drill easy outs. Don't cheap out and buy junk ones. Trust me if it breaks off in there your double screwed. 90% of the time they will take the old ones out. Be careful, tke your time and center puch the holes before you drill.

 

[MAGNUM SERVICES]

The Bracket is there but not when the first bolt broke and it looks like I need to find a Snap-On Dealer!

 

[Acesneights1]

You can order online as well. Snapon.com

 

[Acesneights1]

This is the whole set but you can buy the bits individually.
Hopefully this link is ok.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=10419&group_ID=1255

 

[SmithvilleD]

If the bolt's broken off a little ways down the hole, I'd recommend using the right size transfer punch to get the drilling started well centered on the bolt.

Here's an example of a cheapy transfer punch set that's handy for this sort of thing, as well as easily ensuring new holes for brackets etc., are centered & drilled well aligned.

http://www.harborfreight.com/28-piece-transfer-punch-set-3577.html

And as was mentioned above - the EZ out type tools & left handed drill bits for this purpose should be the best quality you can afford. When an EZ out or drill bit snaps off in there, they're most always very hard materials & trying to drill them out really complicates things.

 

[jrsavoie]

Transfer punches work great. I've been using them for at least 20 years