What the *&%$ is this?

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

I am about to drop the enghine in my 911, and I have been following the 101 book's steps. I am currently removing the nuts that hold the transmiussion to the engine, but there is one "nut" that is not a nut at all. This is located near the starter...what is it, and how do I get it off...please help!!!

Thanks

911SCfanatic · 911SCfanatic's Garage

That's a barrel nut typically used to secure the heat exchangers to the heads. I beleive you need an 8mm allen head.

Rot 911 · 12-30-2004, 08:32 AM

Yep barrel nut. Normally it is on the upper stud on the starter, the one you can't see, but have to feel for.

jpnovak · 12-30-2004, 08:33 AM

Yes, barrel nut that is severly comprimised. Looks like someone stripped it good. Use lots of heat and penetrating oil. You will likely hve to resort to cutting the head and then backing out the left over stud with vice grips after removing the starter.

MotoSook · 12-30-2004, 08:34 AM

It's a barrel nut. Use an allen (10mm if I recall correctly) L-wrench or a socket...the L- works best for me.

Is the barrel nut on one of the 4 engine-tranny studs (it should be)? Looks like someone may have used the barrel nut in the wrong place...can't be sure in the pix

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

so it is the outter portion that is removed...right...?

MotoSook · 12-30-2004, 08:36 AM

LOL! First three post..GRUPPE B to the rescue! LOL!

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

it is one of the four, yes...looks like some moron used the incorrect size allen wrench

MotoSook · 12-30-2004, 08:39 AM

Looking at the first picture again, Kurt is right. Someone use the barrel nut there...is there another barrel nut on the opposite side of the starter?

That one (pictured) just holds the starter to the tranny housing. The nut opposite it is the one that needs to be removed to separate the engine and tranny.

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

if I just use vice grips, will that work...I planned to relace all the nuts and studs anyway...?

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Looking at the first picture again, Kurt is right. Someone use the barrel nut there...is there another barrel nut on the opposite side of the starter?

That one (pictured) just holds the starter to the tranny housing. The nut opposite it is the one that needs to be removed to separate the engine and tranny.

it is the nut that is roughly in the 7 o'clock position on the starter...this is not the one to remove????

VaSteve · 12-30-2004, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Looking at the first picture again, Kurt is right. Someone use the barrel nut there...is there another barrel nut on the opposite side of the starter?

That one (pictured) just holds the starter to the tranny housing. The nut opposite it is the one that needs to be removed to separate the engine and tranny.

Mine had two barrell nuts - one on either side of the starter. one was a PITA to remove IIRC. We used a 10mm allen wrench and a box wrench to undo it. The starter was in the way of allen sockets.

arrivederci · 08:52 AM

Just a word of advice -- don't follow the 101 book completely. It instructs you to separate the engine from the tranny prior to removing the engine from the car. I fell for this -bad advice- on my first engine drop. Pull the engine and tranny out together.

Also, the barrel nut looks like its had a hard life (partially stripped?). Make sure you get the allen wrench all the way in to help prevent further rounding out.

Finally, this barrel nut looks like one of the two that are on the starter. You might be looking for the -other- barrel nut...the one on the top side of the starter. It goes onto the stud that holds the transmission and engine together. Of course, you'll see all this clearly if you follow my advice and remove the engine/transmission as one piece.

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

I need to replace the clutch that is why I am separating the engine and tranny, how in the world to you get to the nut on the other side of the starter, I just can't do it

jwmc1 · jwmc1's Garage

what do I do to remove the tranny as well...is there soemthing simple??? I say with a great deal of hope

masraum · 12-30-2004, 08:55 AM

It kind of looks like it's cut for a triple square, not an allen wrench, to me.

Rot 911 · 12-30-2004, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwmc1
I need to replace the clutch that is why I am separating the engine and tranny, how in the world to you get to the nut on the other side of the starter, I just can't do it

You have to hug your tranny, literally. Lay under the tranny, take your right arm and reach up and over the tranny opposite the side of the starter. Feel around up there and you will find the other starter nut.

smcdermaid · 12-30-2004, 08:59 AM

If logistics permit, support the engine and remove the rear engine mounts first and lower the engine rear a few inches. Ie. partial drop, then you have reasonable access to both nuts from above reaching in thru the engine compartment.

SpeedracerIndy · 12-30-2004, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwmc1
what do I do to remove the tranny as well...is there soemthing simple??? I say with a great deal of hope

Removing the tranny with the engine involves, in addition to everything involved with removal of the engine: separate the axles from the transmission (6 bolts per axle), disconnect the shift rod coupler under the access panel between the rear seats, disconnect the speedometer via quick connects located under the access panel between the rear seats (easy to forget this one), unplug the back-up light switch on the nose of the transmission, and finally remove the two bolts that hold the transmission mounts to the body.

I recommend removing them as a unit. It’s not much more work, and it is easier to mate the engine to the transmission while out of the car, if you even need to separate them. That is just my opinion, and some feel it is easier to remove the engine without the transmission.

vash · vash's Garage

john, the barrel nut looks ok. brush it off with a small wire and brush and look at it again. it takes a 10mm. believe it or not, i think the one on top is easier. the bottom one on my car, i need a 100mm allenSocket, and i can only turn it with a small box wrench. itsybitsy little turns. on top, i do hug the tranny, and i can use the same socket but on a ratchet, it is alot faster. hug the tranny, legs sticking out the back of car. right hand on wrench over tranny, left hand pushing the socket into the barrel nut. piece of cake. the danger, from looking at your photo is that there isnt much "grab" for the allen. the indention looks shallow so the allen may slip. it needed a washer or two, from my perspective.

good luck
cliff