broken starter/gear reduction issue?-UPDATED-

[beatermule]

looking at a truck, 85 gmc 3500, 6.2, 4spd, guy said it needs a starter and starter bolts as he put a gear reduction starter on it and "it was too much torque and broke" claims it just needs a new starter and the bolts for the starter, rest of the truck is sweet, flatbed, 4.56 gears, 4x4, 9" plow, no real rust/rot, just wondering if it hurt anything else and how hard it is to slap a starter in, im currently driving a gas 350 k5 blazer and dont know much about the 6.2---help?!?!?!

-update-
apparently he never put the little brace back on and after the bolt broke for the 4th time he gave uo. needs 1 bolt replaced for the starter and ill be making some sort of brace for it. lube up the sticky front brake caliper and toss 2 batteries in it and itll be mine by the weekend!!

 

[ChrisN]

There is supposed to be a bracket on the end of the starter that bolts to the block to help distribute the extra torque load. It's not uncommon for that bracket to be left off when the starter gets replaced and eventually it will shear the bolts and or crack the mounting boss. Check the starter mount area for any cracks, and if you put a new starter in there don't forget to get that bracket. There are two types of starters you can get, and a different bracket for each. One is the gear reduction type, the other is the direct drive type and it is big and heavy.

 

[beatermule]

yeah i read about that bracket, hopefully its something i can get at the local parts place

 

[kennyw]

Just check those bolt holes first before you buy, the block will be junk if it has cracked already.

 

[beatermule]

yeah im hoping its not cracked. truck is in great shape otherwise. going to look at it tonight

 

[okieraptor]

Yeah the dumba$$ PO did that to mine told me it just needed a starter. I looked and it looked fine but when I went to bolt the starter up only half o the bolt hole was still there.

 

[beatermule]

went and looked at it. starter is still in the truck with 1 bolt, other bolt snapped off right where it passes through the starter, should be able to get it out with some vice grips or something. slap new bolts in it and get it home(only a few miles) first thing its getting is a brace like the starter is supposed to have

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Last I knew (a year or so ago) you could still get the brace from GM and I believe the bolts as well.