stereomechanix

I just found out the other day that my starter on my LS6 (2001 Z06) had stopped working. Upon removal I found that in addition to the nose of the starter being cracked--the outer starter bung on the block had cracked. From researching on the forum it looks like this is not that uncommon. Most of the posts I've read state it is possibly caused by low voltage on start up causing the starter to twist? I am getting ready to spent over $1,000 to remove my engine, get the starter bung welded and retapped and reinstall the engine. My question is what can I do to prevent the possibility of this ever happening again? Is there a support bracket that I can buy to prevent this again?

bumble-z

Had your engine ever hydro locked from sucking in water?

Possibly the starter bolts had become loose?

stereomechanix

No hydro lock or loose starter bolts (with the exception of the outer bolt where it cracked). The other bolt was extremely tight and I have no reason to believe the outer bolt was any different prior to the starter malfunction. The actual nose of the starter was cracked and i dont know if that brake in the starter could have caused it to tweek or twist causing the outer starter boass to crack or not? Thats what makes me nervouse about the potential for this to happen again.

lucky131969

So you are saying, that you pulled the plugs, and checked for coolant in the cylinders?

stereomechanix

Yes. Pulled plugs and also did a compression test. We are reading 165 to 170 crank compression. When we installed the new starter it cranked over initially fine although it was out of allignment after 2 or 3 starts. Thats when we found out there was a small crack on the outer starter mount.

USA-1 HP

The repair can be accomplished without pulling the motor. You also need to find out what caused it to fail in the first place. I had an issue with one of my heads that allowed antifreeze to leak onto one of the cylinders. I spent alot of time researching this issue when I purchased the car last fall, some post said that the motor needs to be pulled and others stated it can be done without removal. The replacement starter now has (2) long bolts rather then (1) long & (1) short. Good luck with your repair.

AllVette

There is a later design starter that uses 2 long bolts instead of the long / short bolts. The newer starters come with one long bolt to replace the short one. This is supposed to prevent this problem.

stereomechanix

where do i get the newer design starter? i got the recommended one at autozone (auto parts store) and the one I got has the different sized bolts.

stereomechanix

how can it be repaired with the engine staying put? everyone Ive called in my area is telling me that the block needs to be pulled--the hole completely filled in and then drilled and tapped. How would it be repaired in place? Also, where can I get the newer design starter you guys are talking about that uses 2 long bolts?

AllVette

Starter

dougbfresh

I think Curlee had it done to his block in the car-try Advanced Search.

bumble-z

I was thinking it was Patche's?

cdkcorvette7

I'm pretty sure I read that Bill Curlee had his engine welded without pulling it.

OP: Send him a PM

AllVette

Bill Curlee Broken Block

USA-1 HP

My repair was done in Texas, where I purchased the car. If you do a search in digital corvette forums "another night in the junkmans garage" he recently went through the same ordeal with his. You need to find a shop that has the experience and know how to accomplish this task, just dont give up since it can be done. For the starter with the 2 long bolts, I just purchased a truck starter.

ZeeOSix

If I wanted to check the starter mounting bolts and other connections on the starter, can it be done without dropping the exhaust pipe that runs near the starter area?