5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

[sjohnson44]

I have a 96 Bayliner with the 5.7L 2bbl Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II. Serial number 0F770506.

When I got the boat and started tearing the motor down I found a broken bolt where the starter bolts to the block nearest the oil pan. I have read many articles and forums about these bolts breaking off and usually the cause was the brace/bracket was missing. Mainly the motors that did this from what I have read was the 3.0L.

My motor was locked up with rusted cylinders so that may be the reason why the bolt was broke off.
Mercury Parts Express does not show any kind of brace or bracket for my engine. Would it be good practice to try to find the bracket or does this problem not follow the 5.7L that I have?

Thanks in advance,
Seth

*edit*
If it means anything at all, the motor is now a 357.

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

That one didn't have another bracket on it. What you do need is new starter bolts. They have a knurled section on them to prevent starter movement. If it's worn down or corroded away, or you have the wrong bolts, it will allow the starter to be mounted slightly off center of where it should be. New bolts with a new starter is the only way to go.

 

[sjohnson44]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

Thank you for your wisdom Don, I was hoping you would chime in on this. I am ordering them now.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

Seth, the older non-reduction Delco style starters used the front bracket. The htgr-pmgr mini-starters do not.
I've spoken with a guy who explained broken bolts to me. He said that with so many starter motor manufactures today, the htgr-pmgr mini-starter nose housings are not the same as the OEM. This means that the bolt length might not the same. The OEM bolts might be too long and might bottom out before they clamp the nose. When this happens the bolts can snap off from the housing torque.
So not only does the bolt need to the right style, it needs to be the right length.
You'll want the htgr-pmgr mini-starter, but also the right bolts.

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

Seth, the older non-reduction Delco style starters used the front bracket.

No, his didn't come with a bracket. Here is a picture from the OEM parts program #'s 13 and 18 are for the alternator.

 

[sjohnson44]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

The closest that matches my application are 3/8"-16 x 4 3/8"
From what I have measured they should fit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

Ayuh,... Get the Mercruiser bolts,...

They have a 1/2" hex, rather than the more standard 9/16" hex, which makes gettin' a wrench onto the inside 1, Much Easier...

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

If you have reason to think that the bolt length is not right, run them gently all the way into the block and measure the remaining shank from block to the bolt head. Compare this to the depth of the holes in the starter nose housing and give yourself some clamping squeeze.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

According to the picture, the starter bolts to the bellhousing instead of the block. Why is this? Also, the opening on the starter appears to be on the wrong side. Am I missing something here?

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

According to the picture, the starter bolts to the bellhousing instead of the block. Why is this?

Same reason they (Merc) uses pictures from a small block to show part numbers of the 454. (see picture below) I doubt the graphics people have a clue which image to use. There is also no part number for a bracket in the parts list either.

 

[sjohnson44]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser Starter Brace Missing?

OR a Part # for the bolts either. Seems as though you would have to use bolts from truck?