Junkman2008

I think you're on to something there. My battery was weak, but it had plenty of juice to start the car. It still failed and broke though, and took the chunk out of the engine block too.

SuperC1

iTrader: (4)

The battery needs to be fully charged when starting, there may have been enough juice there to turn it over but if it doesn't crank right away and it begins to drag this is usually the result. Kick back can happen quick and a starter can fall right out on the ground, ask me how I know. I still have the chunk of the block that broke on mine sitting on my desk.

Junkman2008

Damn.

Damn, damn, damn!

NO CATZZ

iTrader: (10)

I had the same thing happen to me on my 99 Z28. Relocated battery to the trunk but during the downtime the battery got weak...tried to start and clunk. I got out looked under the car and I could see the starter hanging down.

Here is the fix that worked for me:
Trailered car to a shop with a good tig machine and an experienced weldor. He welded it while the motor was still in the car.

Bought a truck starter with the thick outer boss.

Worked great and never another issue. I think I paid 200 or 250 to have the block welded.

Junkman2008

Man, I would pay twice that much and not even blink if I could get off that easy!

miker2

iTrader: (1)

this also happens if you dont use the correct knurled starter bolts.

dlosurdo1

I took my starter out today because it was making horrible noises before i stored it. when i got under the car i realized the starter flange was cracked right off, then when retrieving the other bolt i realized the outside bolt whole was slightly cracked in 2 places. Not as bad as the pics above but just about. Anyone else have this problem and able to get it welded while motor is still in? Thanks

lamdenali

iTrader: (5)

Mine crack 2 starter until i notice the crack in the bolt hole and the crack piece fall off I took the engine out and have a mobile welding guy come oever to my house and he grind it down then weld it up for $80

Junkman2008

What car do you have?

dlosurdo1

^01 z28 with appearance package

pist0lpete

iTrader: (3)

This is not an uncommon problem especially on ls6's. The permanent fix(once the block is fixed) is to get a new style starter which uses two long bolts rather than one long and one short.

V8Rumble

iTrader: (9)

HOLY. CRAP. This is something that I'd never even thought about... I hate that it's happened to anyone here, but I'm sure thankful for everyone who's been willing to share their experiences... (Especially since I'm doing a trunk-mounted battery!)

dlosurdo1

could i get a few opinions? I want to know if i should get it welded for now (and hopefully be able to rely on it, until i have the $ to modify) or should i take the time and $ to get a new block and go through the whole thing. I am easy on the car, sometimes WOT but usual take it easy on her. i just want to be able to trust the weld...thanks guys

Junkman2008

From what I've read (and I've done a ton of research on this), if you get it TIG welded, it will hold. I have not heard of anyone having any issues after having it TIG welded. Check out what this guy did:































He offered to fix mine if I brought him the block. That's some outstanding work he does!

SuperC1

iTrader: (4)

If you can get the trans out and have someone to weld it for you it will be fine, especially if you go with the truck starter. If not, pull the block and have the piece that broke welded back with the screw in it, just dont weld the screw so you can screw it back out once your finished welding and it should hold up just fine. Thats how I did mine and it cranks with no issues.

dlosurdo1

Thanks guys, it helps out alot. I have been bummin for days about this

Junkman2008

The main thing that you need to make sure of is that the starter broke due to the flawed starter design and not an engine hydrolock occurrence. If the break was because of hydrolock and you attempt to start that motor with the new starter, you WILL destroy something in the block and end up pulling the motor. I suggest a compression check while the motor is HOT to make sure your head gaskets are not blown.

Ask me how I know...

chrisfrost

iTrader: (8)

You know another question is why is'nt there a rear bracket on the LS gen3/4 starters like the gen1's & 2's ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,would probably eliminate all this ? Ask Me how I know !!!!!!!!! Oh Ya !!

Junkman2008

Hammerlg

This happend to my LS1 last week and i did som digging here is what i found a bracket instals with the block in its 350 bucks but if your going to pay 250 to weld it pay the extra hundred and save the trouble of pulling the motor

http://2ndsucksracing.weebly.com/web-store.html