Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

[ReedvilleVaBoater]

noob here looking for some help.. I replaced the starter on my 94 Sea Ray w/ a 3.0L about a year ago. I replaced it with a sierra aftermarket starter. Since then the starter bolts have wrung off twice. After reading through some threads here it appears that it keeps happening because the front bracket is missing. I am trying to find the bracket I need and it appears I will have to get a OEM starter too. Does anyone know how this bracket attaches to the starter? I can't figure it out from the picture??

Thanks!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

This is a lousy picture of an old engine...but you can see the support bracket from the starter to the block:

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

what do you mean by "wrung off", did the bolts break or back out?

was your sierra starter a full size or one of the smaller lighter permanent magnet starters? those supposedly don't need the bracket, just the two bolts.

 

[ReedvilleVaBoater]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

what do you mean by "wrung off", did the bolts break or back out?

was your sierra starter a full size or one of the smaller lighter permanent magnet starters? those supposedly don't need the bracket, just the two bolts.

The bolts broke off. The starter is the smaller lighter one. I have broke off two sets of bolts with this same starter. I'm pretty sure I need the bracket to prevent this from happening again. I was just going to order everything from mercruiser to take it back the way it came new, the big starter with the bracket. But I just don't see from that picure how it bolts to the starter.

FYI - After the bolts broke the first time, I replaced them with grade 8 bolts.

 

[ReedvilleVaBoater]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

This is a lousy picture of an old engine...but you can see the support bracket from the starter to the block:

That doesn't look the bracket in the schematic. I think that is a 80's model bracket.

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

FYI - After the bolts broke the first time, I replaced them with grade 8 bolts.

You might try real starter bolts instead of grade 8.

 

[ReedvilleVaBoater]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

You might try real starter bolts instead of grade 8.

When I installed the starter for the first time I used the supplied bolts. They last about 10-15 hours. When they broke and I replaced them with grade 8 bolts they lasted about 20-25 hours. I am pretty sure I need this bracket but just don't see how it bolts to the starter?

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

I have the feeling the starter you have isn't the same as the one in the diagram. If that is the case, you have a starter that won't use the bracket.

 

[totx]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

This is a lousy picture of an old engine...but you can see the support bracket from the starter to the block:

Lousy picture ore lousy engine? lol (My pic)
Yes that's and old engine late 70 I think...

There is at least two types of starter brackets.
Many treads says, starter need brackets.
Most aftermarket starters don't fit with the brackets, ref other treads.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/M...29717/STARTER MOTOR AND ALTERNATOR/parts.html

Qualified guess:
The bracket in start of tread, is fastened in front of the starter with, washer/lock washer and nut. On to the threaded stud on starter.
And other side of bracket is bolted in to the block.

Type of bracket, depend on type of starter.
Guess both type will fit...

----------

Edit:
Bracket on picture are fitted with to studs with nuts on...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Starter Bracket

If your bracket is missing you might be able to make one from a piece of angle iron, think the one I made was from a piece of 2x2 angle iron, something around 2 1/2 to 3" long. The bracket will not mount in the stock location, (though I guess you could make one to fit there with some effort) but goes from the stud on the back of the starter to the bolt hole in the block. Not as good as the OEM bracket, but better than shearing off starter bolts.

The bolt hole on the block I'm referring to is right next to the yellow/green fuel pump overflow hose in the pic.