2.7 Engine Block Mystery Bolt

[born2cruze]

Hi Guys,

I've been cleaning up the engine on my 1977 911S sportomatic 2.7 chasing down some oil leaks and I came across a bolt that I know nothing about.
The bolt is located on the drivers side and to the rear of the engine block, below and to the right of #1 cylinder.
Blocks on ebay and in the book 101 projects for your Porsche 911 (page 43) have a stud and nut in place of this bolt.
What is this for?

[dtw]

That is the 'death bolt' (though not a bolt at all). It is one of the intermediate shaft bearing web fasteners. If it is leaking - be VERY careful tightening the nut. In mag-case engines, it loves to pull out of the case threads. It is very long, which means a thread repair is near impossible with the engine assembled (the threads anchor on the other case half from what you are seeing in that picture).

When the stud pulls, some advise just tapping the case and slapping a bolt in it until rebuild time.

[born2cruze]

Thanks for your response.
So this "death bolt" dosen't go al the way through the block like those around the cylinders?

[dtw]

Originally Posted by born2cruze

Thanks for your response.
So this "death bolt" dosen't go al the way through the block like those around the cylinders?

Nope, it is a stud that anchors in the opposing case half. It is safe to tap the facing case half and slap a bolt in it, as this particular bore is not exposed to the oiling system. All bets are off on other bores