Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

[watson524]

Hi all,

We got some lightly used manifolds as backups and the seller didn't package them very well. The petcock drain part that stays in the manifold itself got whacked and is cracked right up close to the manifold (#8 in the link below). (The thumb screw part itself that you take out for draining wasn't included, no big deal). I didn't realize that the thumb screw wasn't going right into the manifold when we drain each year but it looks like there's a threaded insert with a wrench point on it.

OMC, Johnson & Evinrude - EXHAUST & COOLING - 1987 OMC Stern Drive 4.3

We were going to try some spray lube and gently turning it hoping the whole thing doesn't come off and leave the piece screwed into the manifold but I suspect there's some kind of lock tite on the threads from the factory and wanted to consult the experts here first.

thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Ayuh,.... They're sealed with pipe dope, if anything,...

They're 1/4" pipe thread,... Go to yer local hardware store 'n get a couple brass pipe plugs, 1/4"....

They're easy to remove with a 9/16 wrench, 'n allow a bigger hole for drainin',...

No need for the valve shown in yer link,...
a valve there can create unnecessary problems,...

 

[watson524]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it'll come out without cracking off, otherwise we're going to be in for an issue since it's split above the wrench point.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully it'll come out without cracking off, otherwise we're going to be in for an issue since it's split above the wrench point.

Ayuh,... It'll come right out, with an easy-out,...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

or a left hand drill bit.

 

[watson524]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Sorry, how would a left hand drill bit help? The inside is smooth.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Sorry, how would a left hand drill bit help? The inside is smooth.

If you cannot remove it, drill it out and get yourself a 1/4" NPT tap and re-thread it. If you "worm" the hole out too much, just go to the next size (3/8" NPT) and get a brass plug.

You can even put a close-in pipe nipple and a ball-valve on it. (that way you can easily poke a piece of wire in when draining)


Regards,


Rick

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

Sorry, how would a left hand drill bit help? The inside is smooth.

as you drill it out, the last bit of brass will grab the bit and it will screw right out.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Removing busted petcock water drain from manifold

as you drill it out, the last bit of brass will grab the bit and it will screw right out.

Or possibly break the bit! Although, I have not broken that many bits. I would probably still choose a tool called an "Easy-out" that will do the same thing.

Harbor Freight sells both!