Need Hex Nut for Force 85 Lower Unit Drain Hole

[Skydiver Scott]

Just what it sounds like. I need to get a Hex nut for a Lower unit Drain hole on My FORCE 85 I was planning on Changing the Lower units Gear Oil on my recently acquired motor and find that the Hex nut is basically stripped... I will figure some way to get it out but need to replace it to get it sealed back up again.. I will try a local marine shop guy when he opens on Tuesday as well as calling a marine supply center tomorrow but if anybody knows where one can be located on line I would appreciate it. This motor has a fill and vent screw up top and the hex drain down below.

Thanks for the assist!

Scott

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Need Hex Nut for Force 85 Lower Unit Drain Hole

Hex Nut? You do mean set screw, don't you? The usual was a 5/16-18 stainless allen head set screw. If the internal hex is stripped, just replace it with one from the hardware store. If the threads are stripped, it can be re-tapped to 3/8-16 or preferably to 1/8 NPT tapered pipe thread. Then buy a stainless or brass 1/8 NPT pipe plug.

 

[Skydiver Scott]

Re: Need Hex Nut for Force 85 Lower Unit Drain Hole

Screw is correct I ws typing incorrectly! I will look to get that once I get this one out... It is the internal Hex that is stripped.. Just trying to figure the best way to get it out with out damaging the Threads on the Lower..

 

[sho3boater]

Re: Need Hex Nut for Force 85 Lower Unit Drain Hole

Mine did that but I recall it as being a 1/4-20 thread or I made it that size. Anyway, I drilled it out and was able to ez-out it out of there. Use grease on the drill when you get into it a ways so the chips don't go up inside. Same with the tap when you clean up the threads, and I didn't tap all the way in that way it tightens on the threads like a pipe thread. I put a new one in with teflon tape and no leak issues for the few years I been using it. I even had a new skeg welded on it without taking it apart and it does not leak. The guy did use a TIG on it and I held a wet rag on there to keep temps down, no lube was in it.

Make sure your wrenches are in good shape or grind them down until the edges are sharp. Use something on the threads like tape, pipe dope, even silicone so it does not seize up in there next time.