Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

[model14]

Upon removing the starter on my Mercruiser 1988 2.5L engine (Thunder Craft Regency 162 restoration) I discovered a 3/8" thick steel spacer plate between the starter motor frame and the engine block, with the 2 mounting bolts going through it. From the looks of it, it is homemade. If any one can shed some light on why it is there I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Richard

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Upon removing the starter on my Mercruiser 1988 2.5L engine (Thunder Craft Regency 162 restoration) I discovered a 3/8" thick steel spacer plate between the starter motor frame and the engine block, with the 2 mounting bolts going through it. From the looks of it, it is homemade. If any one can shed some light on why it is there I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Richard

Ayuh,.... Donno, but it shouldn't be there,....

Is the starter a straight across bolt pattern, or staggered bolt pattern,..??
Are there 2 bolt holes in the block, or 3,..??

Is it a 12" flywheel, or 14" flywheel,..??

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

There are starter shims available, to help clearance the starter so it doesn't grind/whine on the flywheel. (The noise is caused by the starter's gear being too close to the flywheel). But they are thin shims... 3/8" sounds super thick for shimming a starter.

I would try to install the starter without the thick home-made shim and see if the starter makes bad grind/whine noises. If it does, pick up a pack of starter shims ($3-5) and start adding thicker shims until the starter runs quiet.

You're supposed to use new starter bolts every time the starter is bolted to the block, but that's tough to do when you need to shim the starter. Though, I would use new bolts to finally bolt on the starter, once you have the shimming thickness figured out.

 

[model14]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Straight across and 2 bolt holes. Don't know the flywheel diameter and it would be tough to measure in the boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Straight across and 2 bolt holes. Don't know the flywheel diameter and it would be tough to measure in the boat.

Ayuh,... Post up some pictures,... Somethin' ain't Right,....

The straight across pattern is for the 12" flywheel,... Which IS right,...

Post pictures of the Starter, this plate, 'n where they go,...

 

[model14]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

I'll get pictures tomorrow.

 

[model14]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Okay, here are pictures of what came off. I am ordering a rebuilt starter and I am concerned about the fit, since there has obviously been some wierd engineering going on with that homemade spacer plate. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Richard

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Okay, here are pictures of what came off. I am ordering a rebuilt starter and I am concerned about the fit, since there has obviously been some wierd engineering going on with that homemade spacer plate. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Richard

Ayuh,.... How 'bout pictures of Where it goes, the block, mountin' pad, 'n flywheel,....

The starter looks Right, but the spacer, Ain't,...

 

[model14]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Going to be tough getting the pictures, engine is in the boat, but I will try. My theory is that I have a 13" flywheel and the starter is for a 12". The spacer moves the gear teeth apart. Got to try and get a measurement.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Going to be tough getting the pictures, engine is in the boat, but I will try. My theory is that I have a 13" flywheel and the starter is for a 12". The spacer moves the gear teeth apart. Got to try and get a measurement.

Ayuh,.... The problem with that theory is, there ain't no 13" flywheels for that motor,...

Chevy only uses the 12", 'n 14",...
The 12" needs the straight bolt pattern, 'n the 14" uses the off-set bolt pattern,...

Ya oughta be able to get pictures of it,...
A camera in yer hand will fit into places yer head won't fit,...

 

[model14]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Bondo,
Here are pictures of the starter mounting pad and flywheel. It is getting to be decision time on what starter to buy!

Thanks for the help.


Richard

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Bondo,
Here are pictures of the starter mounting pad and flywheel. It is getting to be decision time on what starter to buy!

Thanks for the help.
View attachment 218712View attachment 218711

Richard

Ayuh,.... What happens when ya try to bolt the starter on, Without the spacer plate,..??

Will the starter go up into place,..??

Can the bolts be started in,..??

I can't tell much from yer picture, 'n don't have a motor to compare,...
Maybe,... it's a 168 tooth, 14" flywheel, 'n not the 153 tooth, 12" flywheel,...
Maybe,... it needs the Other bolt hole that yer block don't have,....

I've never seen such athing,....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Starter spacer plate on 2.5L ?????

Put a chalk mark on one of the flywheel teeth and count them as someone manually rotates the engine. Then you know what you have.