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Wed Nov 22, 2017 3:02 pm

Hey guys, i need to replace my engine cage hardware and i am trying to identify the size of the bolt that is the bottom. It attaches the tube the cage slides on to to the chassis. I can’t seem to figure out what it’s called. I think it is a 27mm but i am not 100 percent. Thanks!

Wed Nov 22, 2017 4:03 pm

Here's a link ...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=491244

Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:58 pm

Empi makes them too ...

http://vwcatalog.empius.com/newitems/7/1.html

Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:16 pm

Its this part:

The term "Trans Strap Bolt" they use demonstrates the ignorance of the person who entered the item in the catalog. Companies should REALLY use people who are familiar with the things they are working with.

The trans strap is an aftermarket piece to hold the front of the trans down from trying to angle up when power is applied. That application would use 3/8" to 1/2" diameter bolts from the hardware store.

The bolts you need are Factory VW Bug bolts available only from a used VW Bug or from a company that specializes in VW Bug parts. Not New Beetle. Not general auto parts. You won't find one at an O'Reilly's. You won't find them on Rock Auto. JUST VW parts houses.

Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:28 pm

Mickey Thompson Bill wrote: Hey guys, i need to replace my engine cage hardware and i am trying to identify the size of the bolt that is the bottom. It attaches the tube the cage slides on to to the chassis. I can’t seem to figure out what it’s called. I think it is a 27mm but i am not 100 percent. Thanks!

Why do you need to replace those bolts anyway? Chrome not shiny enough?

The "8.8" on those bolt heads tells you that the bolt is metric. Similar strength to an inch size grade 5 bolt. But even at a place that carries metric hardware, you won't find those bolts. You MIGHT find a sorta similar bolt, the same thread and overall length and maybe even the same head size. They are a special bolt designed for the job. The amount of smooth shank and the diameter of that shank are special to the job. If you were building a tube frame buggy with fabricated frame horns, you could use different bolts such as 3/4" fine thread grade 8. But for the factory frame horns, the special bolts are the best for the job.

Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:57 pm

dustymojave wrote: Its this part:

The term "Trans Strap Bolt" they use demonstrates the ignorance of the person who entered the item in the catalog. Companies should REALLY use people who are familiar with the things they are working with.

The trans strap is an aftermarket piece to hold the front of the trans down from trying to angle up when power is applied. That application would use 3/8" to 1/2" diameter bolts from the hardware store.

The bolts you need are Factory VW Bug bolts available only from a used VW Bug or from a company that specializes in VW Bug parts. Not New Beetle. Not general auto parts. You won't find one at an O'Reilly's. You won't find them on Rock Auto. JUST VW parts houses.

Weird they call it a "Trans Strap Bolt".

I found this website ...

http://oacdp.org/type1part.html

And, in the transmission section ...

They're calling it a " Bolt - Transmission carrier "

Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:49 pm

dustymojave wrote: Mickey Thompson Bill wrote: Hey guys, i need to replace my engine cage hardware and i am trying to identify the size of the bolt that is the bottom. It attaches the tube the cage slides on to to the chassis. I can’t seem to figure out what it’s called. I think it is a 27mm but i am not 100 percent. Thanks!

Why do you need to replace those bolts anyway? Chrome not shiny enough?

The "8.8" on those bolt heads tells you that the bolt is metric. Similar strength to an inch size grade 5 bolt. But even at a place that carries metric hardware, you won't find those bolts. You MIGHT find a sorta similar bolt, the same thread and overall length and maybe even the same head size. They are a special bolt designed for the job. The amount of smooth shank and the diameter of that shank are special to the job. If you were building a tube frame buggy with fabricated frame horns, you could use different bolts such as 3/4" fine thread grade 8. But for the factory frame horns, the special bolts are the best for the job.

I’m going to use the same bolt, but the tubes that the engine cage slide onto are cracked and rusted so i needed to find out what size socket i need to remove those bolts so i can put on the new cage hardware.

Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:57 pm

The size of the bolt head is 1-1/16in or 27mm. You can use either size of socket as they are the same dimension.
My Snap-on socket has both size stamp on it.
I always referred to it as a frame horn bolt.

Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:36 pm

Mickey Thompson Bill wrote: I’m going to use the same bolt, but the tubes that the engine cage slide onto are cracked and rusted so i needed to find out what size socket i need to remove those bolts so i can put on the new cage hardware.

Oops ... I really misread what you were asking #-o

I bought a set of these calipers and they have helped me with bolt sizes a lot on my project. I just convert from inches to mm after I make my measurements. They're a very worthwhile investment in my opinion.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dial-caliper-66541.html

Sat Nov 25, 2017 11:05 pm

Better yet...
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-digital-caliper-61585.html

The digital calipers convert from inch to metric or vice versa at the push of a button. I have an identical caliper to the picture that I bought many years ago for use when I was worried about using my expensive caliper. But I haven't used my good ones for most of that time. And my good ones don't convert. They only do inches. The HF cheap ones have never failed or caused me any reason to not like them.