Broken Block-HELP!!!!

Hi All,

I'm new to this site and I'm hoping soemone may be able to help me with a VERY UNUSUAL PROBLEM! The weather has started to warm up and it's time to break out the SS now that the salt has been washed off of the streets... A couple of weeks ago I started the car, the battery was low so I charged it up and let the car run for 10 mins or so. Yesterday knowing that the battery was a little flakey I charged it up a bit and then tried to start it...

The car tried to start and 'kind of did' but was very rough, then nothing. I tried it again and nothing???? Today I went and purchased a battery. I installed the battery and nada. I decided to look under the car and the starter was hanging by its wires? I looked closer and the starter was broken in half. I looked a little closer and found that the mounting boss on the block was broken in half-lengthwise.

Has ANYONE ever run into this one before? If so, did you have to pull the block to weld it up? Depending upon how it's broken, can it be welded without pulling the engine? I called Chevrolet and finally got thru to a tech; he advised me  that I needed to pull the engine and take it to be welded. HELP!

This car is a stock 2001 Camaro Z/28 SS with 29,000 miles on it. This is my wifes nice weather car. I'm into the OLD Camaros-I had to be fair and buy her one to drive didn't I?!?! Of course I get to drive it now & then also....!!!!

If anyone has any advise or thoughts I would REALLY APPRECIATE IT! Dave