Alpha one transom bolt question

[RacerEcks]

New user here. Unfortunately on one of our first outings with the 'new' boat ('92 Sea Ray 180 Bowrider / Mercruiser 3.0), we broke one of the lower transom bolts. While i was initially concerned about the inner transom plate, what's left of the bolt tells me it took almost no stress to break the bolt. Quick inspection of the plate seems to confirm this.

What i'm in need of, however is any sort of instructions to do with the anode bolt kit. There is a rubber washer that initially i thought sat between the shoulder and the gimbal mount but unfortunately it needs to be stretched to fit over the square shank of the bolt. Given this situation, i'm guessing the washer goes between the 'acorn' (anode) and the outer face of the bolt shoulder and is simply there for the anode to seat against to make it less likely to vibrate off.

That being said, I would think the bolt needs to be sealed somehow. My local boat supply house tells me RTV around the unthreaded portion of the bolt 'should be good'. Is this the proper way?

Any advise you guys can offer would be appreciated. If Mercruiser has an actual published process, that would be ideal but otherwise i trust the collective wisdom and experience of this group.

Thanks-

RacerEcks

 

[alldodge]

What i'm in need of, however is any sort of instructions to do with the anode bolt kit. There is a rubber washer that initially i thought sat between the shoulder and the gimbal mount but unfortunately it needs to be stretched to fit over the square shank of the bolt. Given this situation, i'm guessing the washer goes between the 'acorn' (anode) and the outer face of the bolt shoulder and is simply there for the anode to seat against to make it less likely to vibrate off.

Being a 1992 your should have a Alpha Gen 2,
Can you post a pic of the acorn anode and area?

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30858/1017/30

 

[nola mike]

On my boat that bolt corroded and there was rot around the bolt holes. Engine was out, I dug out the rot, filled the holes. I was debating epoxy vs 4200, don't remember what I ended up with. I'd be concerned about a rotten transom if I found those bolts had corroded

 

[tank1949]

That old of boat, I fear rot as well. Some older MC transom assemblies had anodes on aluminum bolts (if my memory serves me) (the bottom two). This was a disaster waiting to happen. I caught mine in time, removed, dried with sunlamp, filled bolt holes with 5200 and replace with ss bolts. I kept it for about 5 more years and never had a leak. Good luck!

 

[76SeaRay]

Mercruiser Service Manual 6 Page A2-7 calls for the seal under the flange of the anode bolt (between the bolt flange and the housing). Note there is also a gasket between the round head anode cap (acorn nut) that screws onto the anode bolt. The anode bolt seals are a challenge to find. The gasket for the anode cap usually comes in the anode kit. The attached pdf is a copy of the manual page.

 

[tank1949]

Mercruiser Service Manual 6 Page A2-7 calls for the seal under the flange of the anode bolt (between the bolt flange and the housing). Note there is also a gasket between the round head anode cap (acorn nut) that screws onto the anode bolt. The anode bolt seals are a challenge to find. The gasket for the anode cap usually comes in the anode kit. The attached pdf is a copy of the manual page.

Mine almost sunk because of that pool design. MC must have realized that crappy design too, because they changed design. I'm not telling anyone what to do. Perhaps if they had used a special SS bolt instead of aluminum??? I am not an engineer, but I cannot tread water long. LOL

 

[alldodge]

Doesn't appear the OP is coming back, but my comment/question comes from the year of the boat. Its a 1992 so it should be a Gen 2. A Gen 2 does not use the anode bolts