[DeTomaso] Starter mounting nuts

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Hi guys,

A few weeks ago, we discussed the difficulties associated with installing a 
new starter on a Pantera.   Most aftermarket starters have a thicker 
flange, which requires longer studs.   Clearances become tight and it's difficult 
to fasten the starter sometimes, as a result.

Various hardware solutions were proposed; as an experiment I ordered two 
competing designs.   Here's a photo showing a total of four different nuts, 
installed on same-size (longer than stock) studs:

http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=33783

The left one is a conventional M10 x 1.5 nut; it requires a 17mm socket.   
This is the size that causes problems for many people.

Next to it is a mechanical locking nut I found in my junk hardware box, 
more properly called a Stover nut.   This is a conventional nut which is then 
smashed into a slightly oval shape, which causes it to drag on the threads.   
It makes it more difficult to install and ensures that it won't fall off.   
They can be problematic in an application such as this, because if you try 
to remove it, there's a good chance that the stud will back out of the hole 
instead.

Next up is a standard flange nut.   The underside of the flange is 
serrated, which bites into the material and prevents it from backing out.   
Significantly, it uses a 15mm socket instead of the conventional 17mm size, which 
can make a big difference if clearances are tight, as they are in our 
situation.

Last up is a highly specialized nut made by ARP.   It features a 12-pointed 
design, and is much smaller than any of the other nuts.   Using only a 12mm 
socket, it allows tons of space all around and would be the easiest to 
install.  The caveat is that it requires a 12-point socket to operate.   It also 
has no provision for any sort of locking feature, so it would require the 
use of a split washer underneath if you really wanted to ensure that it 
didn't fall off.

These things cost a fortune to buy individually--they are $8 each!   I 
bought a ten-pack to bring the price down.

Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I find myself with a couple of piles of 
nuts and no genuine need for them, so I'm going to offer them for sale at 
my cost.   The flanged nuts with the 15mm head came from McMaster-Carr, and 
cost about $1 each including shipping.   The ARP nuts were $5 each including 
shipping.

I have four sets of the ARP nuts and six sets of the flanged nuts 
available.   I would send them via the post office, which would keep shipping costs 
quite reasonable, probably about a buck or so.

If you're interested, let me know--first come, first served.   I won't be 
able to ship for about a week or so, as I'm going to be on the road.

Cheers!

Mike