I am putting the starter back on after dropping the transmission, and the top bolt keeps turning. The bolt itself looks fine, and the threads in the starter do not. How long can I drive the car with just one starter bolt in? Will that cause the bottom to strip? Can I fix it without a new starter?

 

Find a machine shop, they will put in a stainless helicoil for 20 or 30 bucks...good forever...OR if reachable, can't remember the config of the bolts, drill the starter same dia as bolt and get a longer bolt and put a nut and washer on it . if i remember you should be able to see that bolt hole where it comes through the starter DO NOT run with 1 bolt..it will destroy the starter and flexplate

 

You cant keep drilling the hole because there is that cylinder where the positive wire connects to behind it. The starter does not move closer to the flexplate with the bottom bolt loosened because there is a circular obtrusion that fits in the hole of the inspection cover. Would that make it ok to start and drive to heat up the transmission to check the proper fluid level?

I noticed there was broken pieces of metal coil on the threads of the bolt when I took it out. Was this a previous attempt at helicoil?
Would a thread taper drill bit work to fix it?

 

too late now, but you are aware the starter bolts are different. One is metric and the other standard thread.

 

So tapping it wont work? Since there are no machine shops near me (cost of gas+shop work > cost of new starter), are there any other options other than a new starter?

 

I would put a Heli coil in it and then put a stud in and use a nut to bolt it in.

 

I got one of these from autozone as well as a 13/32 drill bit and a handle for the the tap. Seemed to work great.