J-Rod

I'm checking for a friend. He called me last night to let me know that he had broken his 3rd starter in less than a month. Just checking to see if anyone had ever seen issues with starters breaking. In this case, the case breaks off from the motor

It could be water getting into a cylinder, but the car starts fine, and runs fine. I'm going to have him check for coolant loss and get back to me.

I thought perhaps the fact that it is a bigger inch motor with some compression (408 w/ 11.5:1) might also be an issue.

Dunno here. Just wondering if anyone had seen any issues which might cause a start to break the housing on an ls1.


Thx.

BADFNZ

iTrader: (19)

If it's literally breaking off the engine, make sure the mounting holes aren't cracked. Since you said it's a 408, I'm assuming it's an iron block, but I've seen aluminum strip or crack around the bolt holes.

frcefed98

iTrader: (16)

I broke one just like that, accidently did a double start when starting a new SD tune on my car, car hesistated to start and I hit the key too quick....broken starter.

silkey

i broke two gm starters before i got smart and installed a billit one.still in one piece so far.

Roarin_8

iTrader: (5)

Any links to this? If not a sponsor, pm me.

Jolly

Vibration attacking the die cast mounting cap. I used to be in starter motor manufacturing. Those castings sometimes are crap (from you know where). Billit ones sould last forever but anything cheap from China with a die cast cap on may need some additional support to dampen out the vibration.

silkey

thats it.the ear that is cast that bolt to the engine is replaced by a billit block,much stronger.i believe the name was powermaster,its been a while.

TheBlurLS1

iTrader: (8)

I've seen a rod come out of a block so hard that it broke the starter off.

WILWAXU

iTrader: (6)

Make sure the heat shield is placed on the new starter. I've seen a dramatic difference in starter life with the shield removed.

yobabiesdaddy2001

iTrader: (20)

what did you figure out J rod?

J-Rod

I think he reported back that it was a leaking head gasket. I've slept since then.

yobabiesdaddy2001

iTrader: (20)

Rod , how does a leaking headgasket cause this? I am pretty sure one of mine is leaking ( i can see it out the exhaust and have the smell). I am going to check the plugs today.

TheBlurLS1

iTrader: (8)

Cylinder has water leaking into it, which bumps the compression up. If enough water comes in, it will just be hydrolocked. Remove the plugs after it sits overnight, then watch the holes while it rolls over.

yobabiesdaddy2001

iTrader: (20)

will do.

yobabiesdaddy2001

iTrader: (20)

took heads off today and number 8 was completey washed cleanest piston, chamber, and runners, basicly looked like the head had been to the machine shop.

jmalibuss

Just out of curiosity, what head gasket where on that engine???

yobabiesdaddy2001

iTrader: (20)

Felpros, never agin!

jmalibuss

Interesting. I mostly use cometics and have found that most of the time they need to be re torqued. You'll start to see a hint of moisture under the oil cap, and some in the cylinder if it gets too bad. I have made it a priority to re torque after I get back from the dyno from now on. I have a Darton sleeved Vette that I built a few years back that is having a "starter" issue now. And I am suspecting the head gasket. It has broken 3 starters! Of course it is a 443 with 11.5-1 compression. I need to dig deeper in to it.