Author Topic: Broken starter bolt  (Read 5013 times)

Offline Senck243

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Broken starter bolt
« on: August 09, 2011, 11:44:08 AM »
Took old starter out to replace it, and the bolt closest to the driver side broke about an 1/8 inch counter sunk into the block. Tried everything from heat and and easy out and penetrating oil. I would just drill the old bolt out but when I drilled the hole for the easy out, the bit walked a little therefore it's not centered. And help would be appreciated
1984 k10 305, sm465, np208

Offline 1979C20

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2011, 01:03:12 PM »
JB weld on the tip of a long shaft, stick it to the bolt and let it dry then unthread it?
1979 SCLB C20 Q-jet 350 SM465 14b F.F. 4.10 G80
1989 GMC Suburban V2500 TBI350 TH400 4in lift 35's 14b SF

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2011, 04:01:43 PM »
What happened with the Eaze-out?

Offline reload

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2011, 07:29:48 PM »
Can you center-punch the bolt and try to drill again?

Offline Senck243

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2011, 09:18:03 PM »
The easy out will catch until I get on it then it wont bite. I am gonna try to drill it out and retap the hole. I am tired of messing with this 1 bolt !
1984 k10 305, sm465, np208

Offline beastie_3

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2011, 11:51:37 AM »
try a different size ez out.

Offline Senck243

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2011, 07:58:49 PM »
Tried all the ez outs in my blue point set from smallest to largest. Waste of time. What are the thoughts of drilling the hole a size bigger and re-tapping it?
1984 k10 305, sm465, np208

Offline 1979C20

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2011, 08:11:58 PM »
You would have to drill out the hole on the starter too. And make sure they are both in line. I think your best bet would be to drill the whole one size amaller than the existing hole and then use a tap to clear the threads and it should clear out the broken bolt. Its either that or helicoil it.
1979 SCLB C20 Q-jet 350 SM465 14b F.F. 4.10 G80
1989 GMC Suburban V2500 TBI350 TH400 4in lift 35's 14b SF

Offline reload

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 09:41:39 PM »
Time-sert would be a viable option.  No drilling the starter, and its the strongest possible fix.

Offline williebm3

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2011, 10:01:40 PM »
If you have a stick welder, you could take a piece of 1/4" cold rolled steel and put it centered on the bolt, then ground the block fairly close to the bolt. Set the welder on about 125 amps and then attach the stinger to the rod for about 5 seconds or so. This will weld the rod to the bolt, wiggle the rod side to side to make sure that it is attached well enough to get the bolt out. It may take a few tries with it, but have gotten bolts out like this before. Also, let the bolt cool before trying to get it out. 

Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Broken starter bolt
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2011, 12:11:07 PM »
I have done some things similar to what Willie suggested with good results. The most realistic for a guy with just basic hand tools is to drill it out Two sizes at a time until you have most of it gone & re-tap it. You mentioned being off-center, you have a hard time using an easy-out at this point & may end up breaking it off in the bolt...give up on that plan.
Just keep track of the threads on the side your closest to the side your hole is off-set to as you enlarge the hole. Just don't go too big & remove the threads from the one side. You'll end up with a Slinky looking piece that you can remove with a pick & then try to rotate the bigger half out before you start with the tap. Good Luck! Lorne