89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

[i_build]

Does anyone have any tips on getting the bolts out from underneath the starter. I soaked it with penetrating oil, and the only wrench I was able to get onto it was a 13mm and I had to hit it with a hammer to get it onto the head but it still rounded it off. Now I am down to vice grips clamped on super tight with no luck... They still slip off. Any tips appreciated.

Wanted to make sure they arent reverse threaded also.

 

[can-amsledder]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Being that they come out the bottom could you be turning them the wrong way??? Easy to do lying on your back!

 

[i_build]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Counterclockwise if Looking up from the bottom of the engine.

 

[norowing]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Hate to even mention it but I've seen guys take a small grinder to the heads of the bolts, remove the starter and the bolts usually come right out. Obviously gonna need new ones and use only GM starter bolts when you replace.

 

[i_build]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Getting to that point! Just went and drenched it again after another 30 mins of trying. Will let it soak overnight and pray for it to break loose in the morning. Thats the one that's supposed to be easier. Still have the one further under to break loose but that one wasnt chewed up so maybe the right socket will work. Might try to file it down a size and get a socket on it before cutting the head off.

 

[i_build]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Just because I feel for anyone who has to do this I want to give an update because if I had this approach originally it would have made short work of the job.

Grinding the heads off the bolts was a pain because of the space I had. I tried it but was getting nowhere.

Here is what I did.

The outside of the starter is divided into pieces. The one that is mounted to the block (silver part) and the starter cover (housing all of the internals). I undid the wiring and took off the the starter cover. There are a few bolts that run through the starter cover from the end of the starter; facing the front of the engine, straight through to the silver part of the starter. Once these are undone you can take the starter cover off exposing all of the internals

Then you can take all of the internals out of the starter by just sliding them out... and the only thing left is the silver part of the starter that bolts to the engine.

A few wacks with a cold chisel and sledge on the now hollowed out silver part and it just shatters easily exposing the 2 bolts. Be careful not to whack the oil pan.

Once those 2 bolts are exposed they both came out EXTREMELY easy. Mind you when the starter was in there I could not get them loose for the life of me. I had the right socket with leverage and it stripped the head. I had the vice grips on it tighter than ever and it stripped the heads. I tried every penetrating oil and no go. With the starter now off they were finger tight... go figure...

I had no idea that the starter comes apart that way and easily... and I had no idea that the silver part of the starter bassically shatters when you hit it with a chisel and sledge. Had I taken that approach from the get go it would have been an hour or so job.

Some of you guys may have known this already but when I searched I couldnt find it soooo... Here you go,

 

[mkast]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

The idea of performing maintenance on anything is not to destroy the item you are removing. Maybe, the correct tools will aid you in your endeavors.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Maybe, the correct tools will aid you in your endeavors.

Ayuh,... That was kinda My 1st thought,...
Every Chevy starter I've ever put a wrench to had 9/16" heads on the 3/8" bolts....
It must be 1 Rusted to crap bolt to take a 13mm wrench,..??
Even the reduced size boltheads are 1/2" aren't they,..??

'ell,... I'da yanked the motor, before I'd take the starter Apart...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

I am not sure I would be banging too hard in that area. Last time I looked, there is not a lot of metal in that area where the bolts go in, quite likely to break off a hunk along with the bolt.

 

[i_build]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

I used all of the right tools but the poor condition of the starter (i have 9/16 & 1/2 inch wrenches along with a garage full of tools), the poor condition of the bolts, and its positioning made it impossible to remove in an idealistic manor. Yes it was rusted beyond belief and conservation was not a consideration. I am buying a new one and I knew this was a sacrificial part because of its condition going into it. Why conserve a part in that condition?

The hit with chisel was no more abusive than the effort trying to break the bolts free (try it if you have a junk starter). That cast part of the starter broke so easily to the point where I knew I was not risking other damage.

Having done this and having pulled and rebuilt engines in the past I personaly would do this again in a heartbeat over pulling the engine and would recommend it for those in the same situation.

 

[daniel01]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

Hey Craftsman makes a great tool to take off bolts that the head has been rounded off. I bought a six piece kit of the tools for around $20. they work great as you turn them they just bite into the head even more after you put it on the head to turn it you put a wrench on it. It is basically lilke a socket that you turn with a wrench.

 

[i_build]

Re: 89 5.7 OMC Starter Replacement

I hear you and have seen them thanks. I need to put some pics up of the condition and position of this thing. I was able to grind the head off of the outer bolt quickly with my grinder but the inside bolt and the stringer made it impossible to get to. I have a 1976 26 Stamas Americana.

I'm sure that there are other options and tools to get this job done under better circumstances. However if someone finds themself in the same situation this is an easy option and should be documented. Even if the chisel scares you... a recip saw can be used instead. Once the only thing that is left is the top end of the starter... after aboult a half hours labor to remove the rest... you can cut the rest with the saw giving you easy access to the bolts if the chisel scares you.

In the same time it took to grind the head down of the outer bolt I could have completed this procedure had it been documented.