Nut and wire Trick

[philknight]

Don't know if anybody else has had to resort to this but it worked for me.
I was installing a gear reduction starter and couldn't get the nut started onto the top bolt. Didn't want to remove the tunnel cover to get free access to it. Couldn't get a finger behind it and get the nut lined up. Tried duct taping the nut to the end of my pinky finger, but once I had it in there I couldn't see to line it up. Same thing happened taping the nut into a wrench. As a last resort before tearing out the interior I twisted a wire around the outside of the nut and fished it behind the bolt and turned the bolt. Eureka, it worked.

 

[Geo Hahn]

It's a good feeling when that thing threads in. I'll keep this one in mind... I've often resorted to the duct tape method.

 

[martx-5]

The wire thingie is a good idea that I'll store away in the memory banks.

I do a similar thing using a box wrench as you mentioned, but I use some paper between the nut and the box wrench to hold it in tightly. It depends on how loose the nut is in the box wrench with regards to how much paper is neccessary...but it isn't alot. Start out by laying a small pice of paper over the opening of the wrench, and then try to force the nut in. If it's too tight, just cover half of the opening. A little practice, and you'll get the knack.

 

[mrv8q]

I started similiar w/ Art above, but I put the nut into a Stubby box wrench, 9/16 ISTR? I then put a small piece of duct tape on the back of the box wrench, so the nut wouldn't fall thru and out. Inserted the bolt, took 5 seconds!. ISTR only the stubby gave me enough room back there....

 

[philknight]

I tried the stubby wrench as well, but still couldn't see past my hand to line up the nut.Ima tellina U there were some explatives yelled across the garage trying to get that nut started.

 

[Brosky]

Why do all car manufacturers mange to find a way to engineer at least one bolt/nut combo that is nearly impossible to get at through normal methods? Oldsmobile was touted as the enginering division of GM in the 50's and 60's and every 442 had a miserable bolt or nut to install. Other than that, everything was out in the open and it wouldn't have taken much to make every one accessable.

 

[kc_doyle]

I had a spark plug on a 383ci Dodge that I could only get out with a double universal. One click at a time. They had it hid behind the headers, behind the power brakes, against the firewall. The problem was, if I wanted to keep it running right I had to change plugs about every 1,000 miles. If ya think getting it out was fun, think about putting the new one in. I used a section of hose like that fit over the top of the plug, snaked it in and started it, then got a socket on it. ****, I loved that Super Bee.

 

[philknight]

I think they might just have a sadistic sense of humor.
There is probably an old guy in Coventry snickering right about now.

 

[philknight]

Had a 91 Formula Firebird that had plugs that were a pain to get to. It was quick and cornered extremely well for such a large car. Brilliant me decided to take it to Precision Tune for tune ups so it would be their problem not mine. Bad Idea. When I had it for sale I took a potential buyer on a test drive and opened it up on a back road and heard a pop. Turns out when they do a tune up they only change plugs that aren't firing. Well this perticular plug must have been good until it rusted enough that the plug shot out leaving the threaded part in the head.

 

[Brosky]

He's the same wise guy who designed the bolts that go through coolant and oil jackets in the block and then leak after a few years. Snicker, snicker.....