How do I get to this bolt?

[rpwillia]

I had a related discussion in the 310 thread, but have a new issue. To reinstall the one bolt, I need to loosen three as there is a slight misalignment and I just can't catch the thread. The bracket is where the motor mounts attach and there are 4 bolts holding it on. The bottom two are flat top socket bolts which sit flush. The top two are standard bolts. Can easily get to the bottom ones with an allen wrench. The top bolts are the problem. The bracket has a cutout where the bolts go and I am guessing there is a special tool for reach up from underneath to tighten them. A 15mm wrench is too small for the bolt but can fit up through the opening while a 17mm wrench will not fit through the opening to get to the bolt head. I similar tried an 11/16 and 5/8 with the same results, although it does appear the 11/16 would fit the head of the bolt if I could get it up there through the opening.

Is there some other kind of wrench that I need?

 

[Tater]

Is this where you take a grinder cheap wrench, then put whatever bends it may need. I have done that.

 

[RoyS]

Looks to me like a short socket wrench with an extension should fit. As Tater mentions, you can modify the tool to fit. In the case of a socket just make it shorter if necessary.

 

[Ward H]

Short socket from 1/4" drive socket set and short swivel extension, then 1/4" to 3/8" adapter and 3/8" wrench.

 

[Rick Webb]

Somthing like this:

Sunex 9935 SAE Half Moon Wrench Set, 5/16 x 3/8-Inch - 13/16 x 7/8-Inch, Fully Polished, 5-Piece - Combination Wrenches - Amazon.com

Or grind down a 3/8" or even 1/4" socket

Maybe something like this:

Sunex 9914MA Metric Angle Head Wrench Set, 9mm - 19mm, Fully Polished, 14-Piece (Includes Roll-Case) - Open End Wrenches - Amazon.com

You could take a regular combination wrench heat it up and bend it

Here is another option:
GEARWRENCH 11 Pc. 3/8" Drive Crowfoot Wrench Set, SAE - 81908 - Crows Feet Wrenches - Amazon.com

 

[rpwillia]

I am liking the idea of grinding down a cheap wrench or socket to fit.

 

[Rick Webb]

I am liking the idea of grinding down a cheap wrench or socket to fit.

A "cheap" one may not get you the results you want. I would not modify one of my SnapOn sockets but would not hesitate to use a Craftsman particularly if it is an orphan and not part of a set.

Pawn Shops are a great source for a candidate to modify

 

[ShawnL]

I was thinking 1/4" drive wobbly bit with a long extension -- reach in from the back where the camera was.

 

[Rick Webb]

Started thinking about maybe a distributor wrench

Amazon.com : distributor wrench

 

[rpwillia]

OK, you guys are geniuses. I had an old orphan socket in 16 and 17mm (it was a 17mm bolt) where I ground down the front and the back with my bench grinder on the dock and it was then just short enough to fit in there. Then it took me less that 5 minutes to loosen the top bolts, thread in the bottom bolt that fell out, tighten both of them with an allen wrench and then tighten the two top bolts back in. Ridiculously simple. Now ... back to sailing. Thanks again all!

 

[Rick Webb]

Awesome!!!

Love it when a plan comes together.

Unfortunate though that you conquered the project without getting to buy any new tools, better luck next time.

 

[Rick Webb]

Just remembered Mac Tools makes extra short sockets if a fellow wanted to buy a purpose built one rather than create his own

 

[Len Ingalls]

You could use U-joint socket of correct size. U-joint allen head sockets are also available. Cheers/Len

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