non-standard starter issue

[BustedWrench]

Hey y'all,

just got a call from a fellow today with a new to me problem. Short story--helicoiled block, oversized starter bolts, he says the starter is bouncing up and down when he cranks the engine.


Long story-- I sold him the 6.5 out of my truck and installed it with all his bolt-ons into his '95 last fall. I put both the starter and the flexplate from his truck back on my block, installed a starter brace as he didn't have one before, two brand new starter bolts from GM installed with loctite and a torque wrench, worked great. About the second or third startup after he got it home, one of the starter bolts broke. They drilled out the old bolts and installed helicoils, bolts broke again. Drilled and tapped the holes for 1/2" bolts and apparently the starter is bouncing straight up and down when cranking. The starter brace is installed still.

Ideas? Starter problem, flexplate problem, other?

 

[bk95td]

Timing too advanced or hydro-locking?

 

[bison]

The new size bolts are bottomed out and failing to clamp the starter down to the block.
And maybe the starter aint lined up now properly with the block no more either
Or needed shimming from the get go if the bolt broke that fast after original installation

Using locktite on these bolts aint a smart idea as you see what can happen.

 

[Acesneights1]

Sure it's the right starter ? Maybe a misformed nose cone ? I'd try another starter. Aside from missing bracket about the only other thing I've seen after many 6.2s and 6.5s is using ehter on it. he doesn't use staring fliud does he ? That will break them in a sec.along with many other things.

 

[ak diesel driver]

If the bolts aren't too long like bison suggested I'd put a dial indicator on the flex plate to make sure it's round. Not likely but it might have been made on Friday at 4:30pm.

 

[BigBlueChevy]

why the specific date and time for when the flexplate was made?

 

[NVW]

why the specific date and time for when the flexplate was made?

It's been documented that on Fridays and Mondays quality control and production goes down.

Leo​

 

[BustedWrench]

I know it's the right starter and flexplate, like I said in the first post I took them off his old block and re-installed them on the new block. Both were in great working condition, and never gave a hitch while i was cranking the engine to bleed out the injector lines and get it running.

Neither the old or new block had shims on it when I took it apart.

I'm not sure what timing or hydro-lock has to do with the starter bouncing up and down on the block?

I'll ask him what length bolt he used on the replacements. I didn't think about them bottoming out, that's a good question.

Thanks guys!!

 

[legendman]

I'm thinking same thing bolts are too long, with the weight of the starter resting against the heads of the bolts you wouldn't notice of the bolts where too long. One would think they are tight when they are actually bottoming out.

Worth a look, would be cool if that was the problem and no further damage is done.

 

[bison]

Sure it's the right starter ? Maybe a misformed nose cone ? I'd try another starter. Aside from missing bracket about the only other thing I've seen after many 6.2s and 6.5s is using ehter on it. he doesn't use staring fliud does he ? That will break them in a sec.along with many other things.

Nah,using starter fluid dont break starter bolts,or other things for that matter ,if used with care.
I got a wheel loader with a 6.2 in it,its been sniffing starter fluid every time i start it for the 8 or so years since i put that engine in there,same starter with same bolts too.

 

[Acesneights1]

Nah,using starter fluid dont break starter bolts,or other things for that matter ,if used with care.
I got a wheel loader with a 6.2 in it,its been sniffing starter fluid every time i start it for the 8 or so years since i put that engine in there,same starter with same bolts too.

I disagree. You said with care.. I watched an idiot do it. He locked the motor right up and broke them. You should NEVER use ether on these motors anyway.

 

[just a number]

starter fluid is a dangerous thing. a little bit you can get away with. to much and you can consider it a start to a very bad day. I got lucky and took out the head gasket on mine with that stuff. don't ask.

as for the starter problem, I'd be checking the bolts. make sure there the right length and type.