The top starter bolt is quite long and not only mounts the starter but
passes through the trans and block to hold them together.  Due to it's
length it needs the allen head to clear the starter when removed.  The
bottom one is hex headed as it is only a couple of inches long and is used
to mount the starter only.

Thanks to all who answered.

WE
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bradley Flubacher" <flub@adelphia.net>
To: "Walter Evens" <wrevens@MYEXCEL.COM>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 5:42 PM
Subject: RE: Starter Bolts

> In my limited experience, the allen bolts are used when you can't get a
> socket on a normal hex head bolt.  If there's enough room, I'd bet it
would
> be fine to use a proper graded hex bolt.
>
>
> Bradley Flubacher
> State College, PA
> '81 diesel rabbit
> '82 diesel westy
> '82 diesel van
> '84 GL wasserboxer
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Walter Evens
> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 6:00 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Starter Bolts
>
>
> I am trying to remove my starter in my 95 GL to have it tested.  The
bottom
> bolt was a 15mm hex head.  The top bolt is an allen head type bolt.  Is
> there any reason why I can't replace it with a regular hex head bolt like
> the bottom one or does the allen bolt serve some sort of special purpose?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Walter Evens
>
>