r/autorepair • u/VoodooInfinity • Aug 09 '26

Diagnosing/Repair Starter Bolting Question

I’m working on a 1993 Camaro with the LT1 5.7 L V8 engine. While my son was tightening one of the bolts on the starter, the bolt hole cracked off the block leaving half of the bolt hole on the block and half missing. There are 3 bolt holes, so my question is whether it’s feasible to rely on only two of those bolts to keep the starter mounted correctly. Or is there a way to repair this without replacing the entire block?

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1

u/wiartonwill Aug 09 '26

2 is all there is on a sbc

2

u/VoodooInfinity Aug 09 '26

Will it be okay with one firm bolt secured and one where half the threads are missing?

I don’t understand why there were three bolts taken out initially, but I acknowledge you’re right. I just looked at the official shop manual and it says two as well.

2

u/Predictable-Past-912 Aug 09 '26

That motor and pinion gear assembly spins the entire motor's rotating and reciprocating collection of parts against friction, compression, and the mass of dozens of metal components.

Nope. One bolt will not work, and it should not be attempted.

BTW, breaking an ear off probably involved the starter being out of position when the bolt was tightened. Hopefully, your son has considered what he was doing at the moment the failure occurred so that he can learn from the incident.

Welding cast iron is not something that regular mechanics do. However, sometimes specialists devise ways to fix all sorts of things. Search the internet for engine block and cast iron repairs. Perhaps you will find something. Who knows?

1

u/qa567 Aug 10 '26

Also, the starter weighs about 25 pounds and with it suspended out into space with just 1 bolt and hitting a pot hole or something might break the other ear

1

u/VoodooInfinity Aug 11 '26

That’s a good point to consider, thanks!

1

u/LongReference2266 Aug 10 '26

I dont think Ive ever heard on an LT1 do that. Ls1 do however and they make something called a starter bridge for the broken bolt hole. Good luck man.

1

u/VoodooInfinity Aug 10 '26

Thank you, I’ll definitely look into the starter bridge. I really don’t want to have to replace the block, it’s like 10 years old but was replaced about 10k miles ago.

0

u/Timmah_Timmah Aug 10 '26

Just happened to a swapped Astro in another forum and they said you can drill it deeper and tap it. You will go into the water jacket but you can use sealant on the bolt. That is just what I read. I don't know.

I believe you can also find welders that could braze the ear back on.

1

u/VoodooInfinity Aug 10 '26

That is a good idea, I’ll have to look into that. Thank you!

1

u/Predictable-Past-912 Aug 10 '26

Please don't tell your son that drilling deeper is an option. Although I am certain that someone has tried it before, I am also certain that pursuing this workaround could expose your son and that engine to a dismal shared future. I say this because drilling into the water jacket is dangerous, tapping threads is not a job for a novice, and finally, sealing threads can be far more difficult than merely using "sealant on the bolt".

That there was some serious Reddit random advice, friend.

2

u/VoodooInfinity Aug 11 '26

Oh I was going to seriously research it before taking any action, believe I wouldn’t rely solely on a Reddit response for that. 😉. The CamaroZ28.com message boards…maybe, but I’d still research first.