Starter bolt size 3.0 L

[Turx]

well since a search turned up nothing, can anyone tell me the length / thread on the starter bolts for my 3.0 L Mercruiser? After a day on the river starting up to head for the Marina, found out my starter had come loose and the port side bolt is somewhere in the bilge. Or the previous owner left it out or broke it off.

 

[achris]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

What year/serial number? The 3 litre runs from 1968 to present, and they used different bolts down through the years....

 

[Borchik]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

not to scare you but more likely the bolt is broken and part of it is still in the block...very common because people dont tighten the bolts enough, you may want to check that.

 

[cmanion]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

Yes he is right part of your bolt is probably stuck in the block. a good thing is they are not very hard to get out just a little time and a coll temper and they will come out. On a second note you need to contact the manufactor for you starter to get the proper bolts for that starter. Alot of aftermarket startes are built different from each other and any random bolt will cause you alot bigger headache. Last but not least is make sure your starter has the bracket on the front of it holding it to the block for support. Hope this helps

 

[Turx]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

What year/serial number? The 3 litre runs from 1968 to present, and they used different bolts down through the years....

I'll get the SN today when I get to the Marina. The boat / engine are 1994. It sounds like what ever I find or don't find in the bilge will tell me if the bolt broke or was not installed because the remainder or a prior broken bolt is in the block....... Until I actually pull the starter.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

If you need new bolts, make sure you get the actual starter bolts, not just a bolt with the right length and thread.
The bolt has a knurled part to prevent the starter from moving around.
The 3.0L engine is hard on starters and starter bolts. They need new starter bolts each time the starter is removed/replaced and the bracket on the back of the starter has to be in place to prevent excess movement.

The year range shows 3 different starters and starter bolt lengths and sizes, as you can see from the parts catalog, which is why we need the SN.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

also not all 3.0 motors from OMC,Mercruiser and Volvo used the starter brace on all models.
I highly reccomend findig one and using it if yours does not have it.
the tapped holes in the block are there.
not all the starter cases had the stud bolt to attache the brace to the starter but can easily be had.

 

[Turx]

Re: Starter bolt size 3.0 L

After running the S# OF118504 and checking a few parts, it's starting to look like I have the 3.0 LX. It does fall into the group of S#'s OC856559 thru OF603999 for the 3.0 LX GM 181 I-L4 1990 - 1995. My motor has the small PG-20 Stater w/ bolts measuring 4-3/8" and 1-1/11" long. If I use the chart shown here, that puts me in the middle section using starter # 812429A w/ longer bolts. Sound correct??