Metallurgy can be defective sometimes. I used SS bolts on my Mercruiser
starter-not likely to snap even if you reefed on the torque. Had a shock
absorber once that snapped the upper stud a while after installation.
Poor metallurgy. Your bolt failed at a stress riser point, right where
the thread ends. This is right where a torque failure would occur.
JR


Larry W wrote:
Just a heads-up to anyone replacing a starter in an I/O Mercrusier.

I've replaced dozens of Mercrusier starters and I always use the best
new starters available from the same supplier. I've never had a
premature failure of the starter itself.

I replaced one in a 3.0 about a month ago and it was the first starter
that came with new mounting bolts.

Customer called Sunday with a complaint that the starter was making a
funny noise. Turns out the long mounting bolt had failed/sheared off
(see link below). There was nothing unusual about the install and I know
I didn't over tighten it.

Luckily, with the help of an angle drill, mirror and an ez-out, I was
able to make everyone happy but I am going to rethink using supplied bolts.

http://www.rovatune.com/starterbolt.jpg

Larry

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