I have an 350 engine and tranny that I acquired for damn near free for my 77 delta. Starter sounded back cranking up but runs good. I took starter down and one bolt was just sittin there so I find out the hole was damaged and they had tried to helicoil it but it was crooked I put in a new helicoil. My question is there a more permanent type of repair that can be done to the holes that will last?

 

If you put a new helicoil in and the bolt will tighten down properly then I would not worry about it. Once it is in place it really should not move. They do make oversize inserts but there is not a lot of metal around the starter holes so I am not sure if I would take a chance with that.

 

Be sure you are using the strap at the forward end of the starter. The 800 lb Delco starter puts a significant strain on the mounting bolts if you leave that strap off.

 

This may seem like a small thing, but make sure the "tail" of the Heli-coil is one thread below the surface or and champfers.

 

what is this strap you are referring to? Do you happen to have a pic of it or how it attaches?

 

If the bolts that attach the starter are replaced, make sure that they are starter bolts which have wider shanks and not plain hardware bolts.

 

 

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