Bondo

Ayuh,.... Chevy starters come in 2 flavors,....

The straight bolt pattern is for the 12" flywheel, 'n the staggered pattern for the 14" flywheel,....

dereknkathy

but all 454 came oem with large flywheel. I am sure somebody custom balanced a small flywheel one somewhere along the line, but it is the exception not the norm. that little starter I put a link to is a new type that will use straight bolts on large flywheel. which will bail you out if bolt isn't cooperating...

MTScott

To answer your earlier questions, it was the inside bolt on my starter, which is staggered back away from the flywheel. The outside bolt which was still intact (but bent) was right up at the front of the starter. Just to make sure I understand you correctly, if I use the starter you linked to on ebay, there must be a bolt hole location up near the flywheel on the inside, parallel with the outside bolt that will allow me to use that starter with the large flywheel?

I picked up a right angle drill and a couple LH bits to give this a go, but if that doesn't work, having this other starter as an option sounds a lot easier than pulling the engine to get to get those threads out.

dereknkathy

Yes. Take 2 3/8th bolts and thread them into the 2 bolt holes we are discussing. If bolt doesn't drill, try my chisel-punch method. I assume there is not enough bolt to grab with vise grips?

MTScott

No it broke off right where the threads start, so it is up inside the block about a 1/4", basically as far as recessed portion for the knurling on the bolt goes.

dereknkathy

Ok, bondo's method may work. But I think he meant a 3/8th Dowell with hole drilled thru the middle.

dunnitagain

The vibrating engraver works very well , even with the bolts recessed . you can place the tip on the outer parameter of the bolt , parrallel with bolt axis , and use it unscrew the remainder.

MTScott

If only I had a vibrating engraver. Gonna give the LH drill bits a shot with drilled a dowel and a right angle drill.

Next question... does anyone know the proper replacement bolt for these. The common starter bolts at the auto store don't appear to be the right length. I've found metric ones that are close, but I don't believe this is metric.

I THINK that this might be the guy I need:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/n...8064/overview/

dereknkathy

3/8th 16. You might be able to get them at big chain auto parts store. Call em, they could mebbe get from the warehouse. If not, 4.5 inch long grade 5 3/8-16 bolts. Then you screw the 2 bolts in till they bottom out. Take some white out and paint the bolts where they hit the block. Pull them out. Now you have the mark you have to shim them to. So they come to around a quarter inch of that mark.

MTScott

I found these bolts at a local GM dealer, who had 2 in stock. Cost me 2.50 a piece. chevy performance part# 12338064:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/n...make/chevrolet

They seem the be the proper length 3/8x16. I don't know what the grade rating is. The hex head appears to be 1/2", but it isn't as tall as the stock one.

The boat dealer also had two bolts in stock that he sourced based on a volo-penta engine. They also appear to be the proper size, have the taller hex head, and have a grade rating of 8.8 stamped in the head. I still picked them up even at $11 a piece because it seemed they might be stronger. Looking at them though, I'm not sure if the knurled shoulders are as wide as the CPP part, so I'll have to inspect with my caliper mic tonight. I'm hoping to finally have a minute to try drilling this out this evening. My 5 year old will probably be looking over my shoulder so that'll keep the cussing limited (well, maybe).

FYI, orielly's stocked an extractor kit that had both the extractors, and the LH drill bits. $22 for the kit.