Cascade Crew

JROB96Z286SPEED

well here is what is going on ... I was helping my grandpa out on changing out the starter on his 98 chevy silverado 2wd automatic with a 5.7 vortec, anyways apparently the starter wasn't aligned right and when it was cranked over it sheared one starter bolt off the starter and tweak the starter and broke the outer most cast iron mounting tab on the engine block the one farthest out towards the passenger side... anyways the tab is completely broke off the block leaving no place to mount the starter to the block.... my question is : short of replacing the block is there any fix like an alternate starter mounting method? or has anyone heard of using another flywheel and some other kind of starter that would somehow mount to the tranny bellhousing? any help would be appreciated... I have talked a little about it wih brandon... still trying to find out what the cheapest fix will be.
Thanks,
Justin
p.s. when is the next time u all are going down for qtr mile times? I want to go on that one...

QwkTrip

Wow! That's some serious damage! I'm not sure how that could happen unless the starter mounting bolts were loose in the first place.

Sounds like you only have one mounting hole left for the starting motor. I think you have little choice except to repair the engine block. Larger starting motors use a different mounting flange that bolt into the flywheel housing. But the flywheel housing is designed to accept the motor and take the cranking loads.

I suggest you call a tool/metal fabrication shop and ask them the best way to repair cast iron. That will at least give you direction to what you need to do. After that you can search for a good shop that can handle the repair work for you. Or you might even ask the fab shop if they will do the work. Although, be prepared for sticker shock if the fab shop does the work. They would rather work on higher volume parts for local companies than pull somebody to work your issue.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject:

do you have a local community college with an Oxyacetelene/brazing setup?

Sometimes its a cheaper alternative. Work is not 100% guaranteed, but its a thought, and it may solve the problem. Do you have the old piece that broke off?

A guy I was in class with last term repaired a fracture on a Ford 390, during night class in the fab shop at my school. I think Twilightoptics has done some Iron brazing as well.

I only did a few weeks....I'd do it, but I'm not sure I trust my own craftsmanship enough to have that kind of responsibility on my shoulders.

just something to consider...good luck anyways.

JROB96Z286SPEED · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject:

yeah... its really a mess there is only one mounting hole left, the starter was a staggered pattern 2 hole gear reduction starter. There is a total of three holes in the engine block possibly for some kind of other old style sbc starter anyways, it being the outermost tab that broke that leaves the two holes that are left (the original and the one that was not used for this starter) the one new hole is about 2 inchs directly above the good hole thats left... I am thinking and not sure if it will work but I have heard something about a smaller camaro flywheel and another starter for the bellhousing but if you think thats something that wont work that options kind of gone lol.... I found this link here for an adapter plate type of deal not sure if it will work though... http://www.classicchevy.com/product.asp?pf_id=19-68&dept_id=1313 I'm thinkin the smaller fly and new starter might be the most solid idea if its feasible... I just dont know.... as for the starter bolts shearing ... I have no idea what happened... I know I had them all the way tightened.. they werent loose at all... we kind of came to the conclusion the bolt may have been weak or the alignment issue... who knows....

izcain · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

Being around the machine shop alot of those that come in just get junked. I know they can repair some of them if you have the piece that is broken and they can get a good clean weld on it. Thats a bummer man!

Nathan J · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject:

welding it is probley going to be your only true option, but a braze might not be strong enough, that is if you still have the piece? if you do a stick welder with the right rod could weld it up, thats what we had to have done on out 6.2L diesel in our 82 chevy truck. also a older flywheel will need a adapter or somethen since yours is a one piece rear main seal. and have to find out if its a int or ext balance style i would go the welding route. good luck man
Nathan

JROB96Z286SPEED · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

Well thanks for all the help... yeah it really sucks A%% lol... apparently this has happened to some other chevy owners... we kind of figured if it came down to having it welded it would be just best to go with a new block.. hmmm well I guess we'll just keep checkin our options... see what comes up...

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject:

I'd definately talk to Marv. I'm sure he could weld it up. As far as a different starter/flywheel, you need to check to see if the 153 tooth starter uses the 2 holes you have left, or if it still used the one that broke off. If it uses the 2 that are left you could swap the flexplate and starter to a 93-7 camaro LT1 type unit. Being a truck it will have a 168 tooth flywheel right now. I just can't remember what holes are used for which starter.

QwkTrip · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject:

Community college is a good idea - free work. What have you got to lose? It's already broken.