Another way is to pull the airbox and get at the bolt head from behind with
a long extension and wrench. Feel the long extension and 13mm socket over
the top of the engine from behind. You'll be able to either feel the nut
with your hands or with the socket as you sweep back and forth against the
bracket with the extension. Anyway, when the socket is on the bolt, snap in
the ratchet, place a box wrench over the nut, and have it it. All you have
to do to get it back together is manage to get the nut and washer over the
bracket, then proceed as before with the ratchet in the other direction.

A long taped drift always helps get the holes aligned in the alternator and
bracket.

This is one of the clumsier operation on a waterboxer, bordering on the
insanity that is usually associated with more modern motors.

Jim

On Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM, Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rocket J Squirrel
> I was concerned that if I removed
> the nut so I could really get at the back of the alternator, my fingers
> would not be able to get the nut back on in that cramped area. It's
> pretty tight in there. Needlenose pliers?
>
> 13 mm box end wrench with a fold of electrical tape on one flat of the nut
> to hold it into the wrench. Magnet on a stick to retrieve it when it falls
> out. The second time you'll get it.
>
> Jim
>