Engine Removal Issue

[dgsaz]

Here's the issue:

The upper / left bolt connecting engine to transmission. I've never seen this and I'm puzzled.

When I try to set a socket on the head of the bolt in this position, the socket only sits about half on the bolt. To my bad eyes it looks like the are a couple little nubs at the bottom of the bolt hole.

First thought was the nubs hold the bolt head from spinning when you nut the other side. That's not right, the bolt goes through the transmission from front of the engine and there is a fixed cap nut that is threads into on the engine case.

I have tried to knock the nubs off with a long screwdriver and mallet. The nubs won't move. I'm taking a dremel tool tomorrow and tru and grind the nubs if I can get up there behind the clutch lever. It's tight.

Last option is go after it with a long extension and short ratchet. Maybe the amount of purchase on the bolt will be sufficient to loosen.

Anyone have an idea on the "nubs"? I shot 20 pictures and didn't get anything that worked. Too confined to get in three for a clean shot. Tomorrows another day.

dgsaz

[Al Huva]

If its a dual port motor that bolt threads into the engine block and it may be tighten to much and the head may have partially embedded into the transmission case . if so Ive had to cut down a 17 mm socket to get it onto the head of the bolt. If it is a dual port you may also have a nut on the backside of the block and you need to partially remove the fan shroud to get a wrench back there If its not a dual port should just reach behind with a wrench and remove the nut with someone holding the bolt from underneath the bus Hope that helps a pic would sure help

[scubaseas]

A thin wall 17mm socket on a long extension (30") and a universal swivel might do it. A 17mm short combination or box wrench from the top to the transmission side should work OK. Use a large screw driver to hold the rear engine tin forward so you can get access to the bolt head. It's from the top, back handed, do it blind operation. Once you have it out you'll see what the nibs are. They hold the nut in place for the bolt. Or somebody's been in there and done who knows what. HTH

You might be able to borrow an inspection camera to get a better look or picture. About $70 at Harbor Freight. Neat tool.
_________________
Al

08/1970 T2a Westphalia owned since 1980

ASE Master certification. 50 years pushing a wrench
Retired

[crukab]

When I found this :

I had to do this:

It sucked, but kept me moving foward..........
_________________
Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

[dgsaz]

[Clara]

With some cases there is a captive nut insert on the upper left. It came on dual port aka doghouse engines, so you can install the bolt from underneath without having to hold the nut on top which would mean installing the doghouse vent tin after the engine is bolted in place. Which is not impossible, just saying. To install the bolt underneath you may want to use a long extension on the socket. And tell the tranny how much you admire it as you embrace it.

Some trans are designed to hold the D shaped bolt head, to make it easy to thread the nut on above.

These two things are not designed to play well together, but sometimes a PO does that anyway.
So its a PITA. I use a couple fat washers under the bolt, they have to be ground at an angle to fit. So the circle has a point at one corner. Then the hex is shimmed out just enough from the tranny to have enough space so the socket holds the hex head and all is right with the world. :)

[BarryL]

[dgsaz]

[dgsaz]

Carla, is was as you predicted. The nubs were there to hold the bolt on one side but the other was the fixed cap nut. That said, the only way to get the bolt out was to
grind down a socket, use a long extension and be patient.

One ratchet click at at time and I finally got it loose to finger the rest. After that the engine jumped out of the back and the morning was over. Pulled the gas tank and did a bit of tidy up and called it a day by lunch.

There was a washer on the bolt head that was the same size as the nut. I think I'll find a thick washer and see if will stand the head of the bolt off of the nubs. There is more than enough thread to try.

All and all a successful morning.

Tools of extraction.

Picture of the nubs, left ,upper, engine mount.

Engine out, ready for dual carbs

Bas tank out ready for rebuild and paint. Thanks for the advise and insight everyone.


dgsaz

[ToolBox]

Use a socket head cap screw and life will be good....

[Daddybus]

[dgsaz]

[Bruce Amacker]

Been using those for years with a washer. 8mm Allen on a flex and long extension gets it, it's the cat's ass. I have a bin full of them in my stuff, I think it's an M10x70.......
_________________
'66 Deluxe Bus
'65 Standard Bus
Build threads:
'66- http://www.leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&sid=54d8dedfb3822f99c7f2ea430cb4e856
'65- http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4263

[Abscate]

A Torx would be even less likely to strip out, too.
_________________
.ssS!

[joefriday]

I had a similar problem bolting my 1600 to a 1967 transaxle about a week before this posting. I ground the nub down a bit, and added washers. I like the socket head screw cap idea too. Another trip to Fastenal.

[Ran When Parked]

I came in here to post something like, "It's only four bolts, how hard can it be?"

But learned some new stuff.

[dgsaz]

[joefriday]

I pulled the engine back out to see what I was doing. I believe there is an alloy of magnesium in the transmission case. Flakes and powder are flammable and I didn't want to generate a spark by knicking any steel after making a pile of magnesium. Right under the gas tank. That could end poorly.