fkywheel help

[trejac]

I have a 1997 Galaxie with a 4.3 merc. I had a started go out on me so I changed it. I have about 20 years of auto experience under my belt so I felt I could handle a boat starter. It worked. I got about 30 starts out of it until it worked loose because of some after market bolts I used. I got the correct bolts, put the starter back in and everything was great. After a few starts the starter worked loose and started hitting against the flywheel. Knowing auto repair not boat repair I passed this repair to a boat mechanic. He looked at it and said the flywheel teeth were wearing down and that is why the starter was hitting against it. Does that sound right? I guess I was wrong I thought it needed shims or something. Also, I looked at the flywheel and I've seen much worse on an auto that did not do this!!!! The mechanic winterized the boat at the same time he "fixed" the starter so I do not know if its fixed. He did tell me the boat starts but will continue to grind the flywheel until I replace the flywheel. He told me it would cost about $1500-1800 becuase the flywheel was $900. ouch...
Does this sound right as well? Can I get a used flywheel/where? Do automotive flywheels work?
What type of job is it to do. With 20 years of auto repair would it be something worth doing myself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Jay!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: fkywheel help

There should be a well qualified auto mechanic come along soon to answer your question. Us stupid marine mechanics wouldn't know, all we do is look for $$$$$ and rip off people.

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

Did not mean any offense. I worked as an auto mechanic so I REALLY did not mean it to sound like this guy was doing anything dishonest.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: fkywheel help

Ok did you put the front bracket back on the starter? If there wasn't one make one or buy one. Thats why the bolts are breaking or coming loose.

To do a flywheel one has to pull the motor. And the whole flywheel don't have to be changed just the gear. Used flywheels are all over, and if you need new go to the top of the page and see what one costs.

This one you can do yourself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fkywheel help

He told me it would cost about $1500-1800 becuase the flywheel was $900. ouch...

Ayuh,... I'm just a dirty ole Heavy Equipment Mechanic,...

But,..
I can tell you that if you pull the Flywheel,...
You can knock the junk Ring Gear off the flywheel,+ drop on a New Ring Gear for about $30./ $50...
No Reason what so Ever to change out the Whole Flywheel, when it's the Ring Gear that's Foobared...

Welcome Aboard Trejac,...
If you wander up to the Adults Only sticky thread at the top of this forum,...
You'll find Alot of Great Info,+ links to the Factory Manuals for your motor,+ drive....

Mechanicin' is Mechanicin',....
Some of the Rules change from cars to boats to bulldozers...
But not too many...
Grab a copy of the Right Book above,+ have at it....

Don is Alright,... Probably just another bout of Cabin Fever,.. It's Winter ya know.......

 

[chiefalen]

Re: fkywheel help

I don't feel the need to explain when i didn't get my first cup of coffee and snap at people.

I just have to assume they know i'm a old crocehty geezer, take me or leave me the way you find me.

Freekin weather got everybody on edge.

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

Everyone! Thanks for the info. The starter came with this foam peice that at first I did not put in. When I got the correct bolts I placed it between the housing and the starter. I'll check out the adults only site and get started. Again thanks to everyone for helping me out.
I'm in Texas and if the boat was nopt winterized the weather would be perfect for a nice curise around the lake. it will be 66 today

 

[bolo78910]

Re: fkywheel help

if you are a auto mechanic for 20 years, you should be able to fix that problem very easy, if your boat is in the marina, and that marina allows one to work on there own boat, such as mines, you can just loosen all the bolts wire harness ect, and pay them a small fee to use there forklift to lift the engine out, when you finish install and fix the flywheel, just ask them again to drop is back in. with the engine out it is a good time to take a look at the engine mounts, if they are rust just change them because you might want to do an engine alighnment once the motor is back in. it is not that hard once the engine is out.

good luck this is a great site. read what bondo says about the ring gear.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fkywheel help

The starter came with this foam peice that at first I did not put in. When I got the correct bolts I placed it between the housing and the starter.

Ayuh,....

Not under the mounting Pad I hope,..?? It should be Metal to Metal, just like any other SBC...

Getting 1 of the little angle braces for the forward end of the starter housing is a Good Idea,...
Especially since you're already having Problems....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: fkywheel help

What am i invisible. Foam piece where maybe it was in the box so it don't break in transit.

Maybe you can post if you put the front bracket on or if there wasn't one make one or buy one. I made one in 5 minutes.

The problem is when someone puts the new style starter on the old front bracket doesn't fit so they think they don't need one, as we see here and i have seen many, many times you need one.

The teeth on the flywheel maybe you can post a pic of it so we can tell if you really need one. I think your whole problem will disappear if you put the bracket on the front of the starter.

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

by front of the starter I believe you to mean the side away from where the bendix hits the flywheel. If so there is no bracket or anything. The mechainic did say that people have made a bracket to fit there. But he did not offer to do it so I did not think it that important. Where can I see a pick of one of these? Where can I pick on up?
I've never seen a foam peice on any starter I've done but againg doing auto not marine I just assumed. I placed the foam peice between the bell housing and the starter as there is a 1/8 gap.
By the way, I really apperciate this.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fkywheel help

Ayuh,...

I don't know if this is the 1 you need, but it'll give you an Idea,... It's #3...

Either there's a drilling along side the bottom edge of the block,..
Or,..
You might have to use an oil pan bolt,...
Either way, it adds quite abit of strength to the whole thing...

 

[Don S]

Re: fkywheel help

There should be a well qualified auto mechanic come along soon to answer your question. Us stupid marine mechanics wouldn't know, all we do is look for $$$$$ and rip off people.

Spoken like a true Icehole, wouldn't you say Jay (and everyone else).
Sorry about that, your post just happened to be the next thread I looked at and I didn't even read your post. All I did was post a stupid remark. :redface: :redface:

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

I got the PG280. It's a different starter than the one pictured but I get the idea. my problem is that there is no mounting point to put a bracket. However I have a friend who's a metal worker. I'll let him make me something.
Which way does the starter tourque? as I'm looking at the front of the starter does it go clockwise or counter-clockwise?

 

[Don S]

Re: fkywheel help

Did you use new starter bolts? The old one can have the knurled part of the bolt worn down and the starter gets to move around too much, and you can't tighten it down enough.

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

I got the PG280 which is different from the one pictured, but thanks the drawing helps. My problem is that there is no mounting point but I have a friend that I believe can make something up for me. Which way does the starter tourque? As i'm looking at the front does it twant to turn clock wise (toward to the block) or counter clock wise (away from the block)?

 

[Don S]

Re: fkywheel help

You have a LH rotation engine. Looking at the flywheel, the engine turns counterclockwise. That is how it is on ALL standard rotation Chevy engines.

 

[trejac]

Re: fkywheel help

brand new bolts. I even tried using some loc tight and let it sit for about 24 hours before trying to start it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fkywheel help

my problem is that there is no mounting point to put a bracket. However I have a friend who's a metal worker. I'll let him make me something.

Either there's a drilling along side the bottom edge of the block,..
Or,..
You might have to use an oil pan bolt,...

Ayuh,...

From the Bow looking Aft, the motor's turning clockwise,+ the Starter has to turn the Opposite way....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: fkywheel help

Look real real close and clean the block next to the starter there will be a hole. And it don't have to be fancy just holds the front of the starter from vibrating. You can make one. Bolt size is another story for the bracket you will have to see what fits and stainless steel.

Sorry it's whats got to be done.

Be glad the bolts didn't snap had that happen to me and friends. Then we had to get them outta the block, or the block where the bolt goes can have a hairline crack at the bolt hole and when you tighten it down the crack opens. Hope thats not your problem try the bracket.

Good luck !