Starter motor bolts too long ?

[Rake722]

Hi all

I just bought a new PMGR style starter and went to fit it but could not as the original and some replacement bolts that were fine on the old starter but too long to clear the armature of the new one - please see images

only options I see are to either cut the bolts - reducing grab,
cut away the lines of the starter bracket thus making the holes in to slots, or to buy the OEM studs for the later model

what would you do ?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... You should be able to find studs of the right size at any decent hardware store,.......

Standard studs are coarse thread on one end, 'n fine thread on the other, so you'll need fine thread nuts to finish yer job,....

 

[Rake722]

Thanks Bondo, you wouldn't happen to know the stud length thickness and thread pitch ?

In my area most stores are now metric so I'll need these details for any hope in finding them

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... My guess is the bolts in yer hand are 3/8"-16, 'n use their length, without the head,.....

The nuts, 'n other end of the studs will be 3/8"- 24,.....

 

[kenny nunez]

If you are working on a 3.7 then the bolt threads are 1/2” 13 . Are the holes in the starter flange 1/2” ? There was a kit that Mercruiser had that the studs were stepped from 1/2” to 7/16 .

 

[Rake722]

If you are working on a 3.7 then the bolt threads are 1/2” 13 . Are the holes in the starter flange 1/2” ? There was a kit that Mercruiser had that the studs were stepped from 1/2” to 7/16 .

on a calliper they measure 0.493 inch and just pass through the holes of the starter

 

[kenny nunez]

That is good. Do you still have the original style 12 point head bolts that held the original starter? If you do just cut enough off to fit .

 

[Rake722]

That is good. Do you still have the original style 12 point head bolts that held the original starter? If you do just cut enough off to fit .

Yep I have 2 sets. Would cutting them shorter not reduce the amount of holding strenth they have ?

 

[kenny nunez]

Measure the thickness of the old starter flange compared to the new starter flange. You may only have to cut 1/4” off. The other alternative is to obtain 2 studs 1/2” 13 on one end and 1/2” 20 by about 1.5” long. If there is room to use 1/2 20 nuts every thing will hold together. If there Is not enough room for a 3/4” wrench then get 2 7/16”nuts that are 5/8” OD, drill them out to the tap size of 1/2” 20. A lathe makes it easy or it can be done with a drill press. Or worse case with just a vise and some patience. I have done all 3 ways at some time in the past.