6.2 diesel starter issues

So when I got my k30 it was non running. Swapped the starter, bled at the injectors and she started. Well thats the condensed version. It really took me about two weeks of berkeleying around. When replacing the starter I discovered two different bolts, one the original metric and one slightly larger standard. I figured one had striped out and someone drilled and tapped to the larger size. That brings us to the other day when I tried to start it and all I got was grinding. Figured it was time for a flex plate and this evening went to start on it. Got under the truck and I could see visually that the metric starter bolt was loose. Said wtf and went to tighten it. It's stripped. It wasn't when I put it in. Yes I have the starter brace in. So I'm wondering if I drill and tap that one of I'm just going to be continuing to chase issues with it? Basically is the block screwed at this point and should I start prepping the 70 Cadillac 472 that's been sitting on my front porch?

Helicoil the block? GM starter bolts are special, if they aren't knurled they aren't right and will cause trouble.

Helicoil, but come up with some way of making damn sure you are drilling straight.

Or dump the boat anchor and fill the hole with a real engine.

I replaced starter bolts several times on my 6.2's.

Though it was usually because one snapped, not because they stripped.

Are you sure the metric bolt was correct?

I don't recall if mine were metric, but there are some metric threads that are close enough to sae to thread in, but not stay tight. If someone replaced a broken one with the wrong size that could cause the problem with it loosening.

shouldn't be metric. also, i vote caddy. i had a 472 in my 88 silverado 2wd(i know, what a surprise right?) and it was awesome. i know a guy that has a severely lowered 92-93 z71 4x4 with a big caddy in it too.

The metric bolt was brand new from the dealer for this year. The standard one I had to cross reference to get a new one from the dealer. If I helicoil it then I might as well do both right?

Yea I was a Cadillac man from way back. I bought this 472 about 3 years ago just never could figure out what to put it in. I also have all the stuff to make a switch pitch BOP 400 trans.

Yeah, I would toss the 6.2L. They are a boat anchor, designed for fuel efficiency and not power. And I'm sure parts are starting to get scarce for them.

My 86 had metric starter bolts. The statement about the knurling is correct. Mine had a manual trans, 4.10 rear and the pump turned up. Not a dog. Not even a little bit.

Talked to my local starter shop a little bit ago. He said he could try and helicoil it but the look on his face wasn't heart warming. I'm going to talk to my local trans shop about combining my switch pitch 400 with my BOP 400 and the transfer case to make a switch pitch BOP 400 for the k30.

You'd be better off with a keensert if you have the wall thickness. They have thicker walls and spikes to keep them from coming out.

$800ish for the transmission work. Time to think.

Stampie wrote: $800ish for the transmission work. Time to think.

want to borrow my ATSG th400 book and give it a whack? the worst part is pulling the entirety of the trans guts out to change to the 4x4 output shaft.

how about a bellhousing adapter instead? that's the quick easy button

gearheadmb wrote: My 86 had metric starter bolts. The statement about the knurling is correct. Mine had a manual trans, 4.10 rear and the pump turned up. Not a dog. Not even a little bit.

We had a few. One was an 84 Sub with 4.10's and a 700R4. ANother was an 82 Dually with 4.56's, TH400 and 13 leaf's. Top speed was 64mph whether it was loaded with 3 tons of rock or empty. Dad later had a CUCV truck. THe two civvies were always needing a starter. The CUCV NEVER needed a starter. I'm guessing it was the 24V setup. All of them were fun to drive and the Sub was a fuel miser for what it was. 20mpg all day long

patgizz wrote:

Stampie wrote: $800ish for the transmission work. Time to think.

want to borrow my ATSG th400 book and give it a whack? the worst part is pulling the entirety of the trans guts out to change to the 4x4 output shaft. how about a bellhousing adapter instead? that's the quick easy button

That's OK. The back story is I've always wanted a switch pitch 400 behind a Cadillac 472/500. Several years ago a friend offered me a free 65 Cadillac 400 with all the parts but not the BOP bellhousing. I quickly collected the 70 472 and a 69 BOP 400. So since then I've been looking for a home for the combo. If it was just putting the transfer case on the BOP with a rebuild I'd tackle it but add in converting it to switch pitch then I'd rather have them do it. Plus I've known the manager for 12 years and it's the only transmission shop I've walked into where they don't look at me like I'm crazy when I mention switch pitch. In fact today the owner's eyes lit up and he seemed excited to get a chance to build one again.

Why does "I've always wanted a switch pitch 400 behind a Cadillac 472/500." sound so dirty when I proofread it?

In reply to Stampie:

If that's dirty then I don't want to be clean.

I'm pretty sure this

Was supposed to stay attached to this

So I've decided to swap in a Cadillac 472.

can you temporarily use longer bolt with a nut on other side?

that blows though.

I'm not going to berkeley with it. I wanted to put the 472 in there anyway but was just hoping to get the 6.2 going so that I could drive it in the meantime. Oh well let's me move the Q45 up the list of things to work on.