Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

1stboater

Recruit
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
Messages
4
July fourth my wife and family take out my first boat. 1996 Maxum with mericruiser 3.0 17ft. Ran great first two hours, the went to dock to get someone, and would not start back up. looked under engine, and stater was laying in the hull. My step father found a bolt that morning, but we could not find out where it came from. When this happened he said..." I think I know where that bolt goes" nah!!!! Anyway, we found two other bolts that had evidently broken off by the vibration. They go in the starter mount up under the engine. It's a hard to reach spot , so we bought a angle drill and tried easy outs, tap and die, and just plain drilling, but can't get the rest of the bolt out . Thought about using heat but afraid to because of the aluminum. Stopped by machine shop this morning, and all they could say was good luck. Man I've only had it a week, and used it two hours What can I do?? I'm new at the lingo and anatomy of boat so please bear with me!! Thanks!!
 

binky775

Cadet
Joined
Mar 15, 2003
Messages
13
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

Try to find a local moble mechanic and make sure they are good with this sort of thing.I remove broken bolts and repair threads all the time and its not that hard if you have the know how and the right tools.
 

boating brad

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 7, 2003
Messages
201
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

get a real good drill bit, might even try a left twist, not a black&decker $1 special. many times a left twist bit will take it out alone. a center punch to mark the drill bit on center. drill straight. if you use an easyout dont break it off or you'll be screwed. good luck :D <br /><br />by the way when you say the rest of the bolt out what do you mean? is the bolt partially out? if so you may be able to use a small hammer & chisle to work it out
 

briango

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
32
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

I guess after you have figured out how to tap those bolts out then you need to find out how this problem happened to begin with so it wont happen again.
 

clanton

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
4,876
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

A good welder will weld a nut to the broken bolt with a wire feed welder, the welding will heat the bolt at same time, should screw out easy. SAFETY SAFETY.
 

moderator1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
1,668
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

Moving to I/O's.
 

pingjockey

Cadet
Joined
Jul 14, 2003
Messages
6
Re: Used boat 2 hours and stater broke off!! Help!

1stboater,<br /><br />Have you gotten the broken bolts out yet. If not don't use a standard easy out. You know the tappered ones. They aren't easy to find but the is a type of easy out that is straight and has grooves on them. They are matched to the drill bits. They are available from both MATCO and SNAP-ON and they work great. I had a broken exhaust manifold bolt. Tried the standard easy out and just made it worse. Went to the local marine mechanic and he said we don't have time to work on it but here is the tools if you want to try it here. Well I was in there so much and spent so much $$$ he finally gave me a job. Try ebay for the tool. It is also available from RIDGID. web page Snap On
 
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