Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

[leviwynnyk]

I have gotten a lot of advice about my broken starter bolts and am finally ready to get the engine pulled, the bolt removed and the starter installed. I had the starter rebuilt and have all the parts except the additional starter brace/bracket that many people talked about and highly recommended. None of the local shops are aware of this part and I couldn't find it on the internet. Anyone have one for sale or know where I can get one from?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

Levi, You can look it up in the Microfiche parts lists on www.dougrussell.com. I have one on my '88 4.3LX. I do not know if all years had these brackets. <br /><br />The starter had a 1/4-20 stud sticking out of the starter motor directly below the solenoid connections. The strap attached (one end) to the stud and the other end bolted to the block directly above.

 

[leviwynnyk]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

I called them and they said that this year (1996) didn't have a brace for the starter. They told me I should be using a high tourque starter. Now the one that was on was just rebuilt last week. How can I tell if it's the high torque model? They said the high torque is smaller. The one I had rebuilt is 9 inches long. Did I waste my money getting it rebuilt? Should I buy a different one? Is it ok? I am very confused. I don't want to go through this again, I just want it fixed!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

The 96 model did use the smaller starter, but the 93 to 95 models used both.<br />You need to go by engine serial number. You may very well have a 95 engine/drive package in a 96 boat.<br />None of the starters call for support between 93 and 96.<br />Other things may have caused the starter to break the bolts. A hydrolock or defective ring gear on the flywheel or a bad gear on the bendix could also break a starter bolt, or starter itself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

Well,.......<br />This 1 might fit your starter,....... #3 in the picture..........<br />

<br />Every 4.3l with a bracket calls for this 1,..# 12404.......

 

[leviwynnyk]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

Here is a pic of the starter. Does this look like the high torque? Will it fit a bracket? I have to say that before the starter went, the boat ran beautifully. It idled great and and the proper RPM's at WOT. <br /><br />Don.s, Bondo, and Chris1956 it's guys like you who make this forum work. I can't tell you how valuable your advice has been for getting the job done right.<br /><br />

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

It Looks like a permanent magnet motor,.....<br /><br />What does it Measure Between the 2 studs sticking out of the motor housing in the lower righthand side of the photo,..???..........

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

yep thats the high torque permmanant magnet gear reduction stater used by GM. and occasionaly the bolts break just cause they can, but that starter needs to have the bolts properly torqued.

 

[leviwynnyk]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

It measures 3 inches between the two threaded studs sticking out. Rodbolt mentioned that the bolts that hold the starter in have to be properly torqued, what is the recommended torque for these bolts? I tell you, it's frustrating how much hassles this broken bolt has caused!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mounting Bracket for Merc 4.3LX Starter

I tell you, it's frustrating how much hassles this broken bolt has caused!

It's not so much the Broken Bolt that's such a Hassle,.......................<br /><br />It's the Fact that it's Totally Surrounded by a Boat ,........................ <br /><br />35/40ft.lbs...............<br /><br />I don't know for Sure whether that bracket will fit Your Starter or Not,...........<br />If I were You,....... I'd Make it Fit...........