Stuck garboard plug, took off flange and I can see wood, what next?

[poconojoe]

Maybe I missed something...but why didn't you just drill out the stuck plug? Maybe use an easy-out or start with a small drill bit and keep increasing the size, stopping before you damage the female threads. Then pick out the remains from the threads. Especially since the plug is most likely soft brass. I've done this in other situations before with great results. It's a bit of a pain, but can be done if you're careful.

 

[USA_boater]

Maybe I missed something...but why didn't you just drill out the stuck plug? Maybe use an easy-out or start with a small drill bit and keep increasing the size, stopping before you damage the female threads. Then pick out the remains from the threads. Especially since the plug is most likely soft brass. I've done this in other situations before with great results. It's a bit of a pain, but can be done if you're careful.

I thought about it but decided to just replace the whole thing anyway...when I originally tired various removal tactics I tried a little heat. I saw some discoloration below the plug and worried that I may have caused a small leak or future leak with all the attention to the stuck plug. ALSO, I am glad that I had to remove the flange or I'd have never addressed the exposed wood situation.

HOWEVER, I am now leaning towards trying to get the plug out of the flange and just re-use the flange with a new plug since the original flange is the correct size. The only replacement plugs I could find locally were plastic and stainless steel...Can I use stainless in a brass flange/threads? Otherwise I suppose I could buy the wrong sized 2" flange/plug set and just use the brass plug?

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can use epoxy to seal the wood, you can also use the same epoxy to seal the old screw holes, turn the garboard plug just a bit and drill new holes for your flange on hand

the brass plug is simply a brass pipe plug. nothing special. I keep 3 on board the boat and 2 in the truck. because I have dropped them at the ramp and couldnt find them in the algae.

 

[USA_boater]

okay so a stainless plug in a brass hole is okay? Sorry to ask again but I read somewhere it could cause some issues...BUT I don't plan to leave it in the darn thing like the previous owner did...I suppose the threads on the flange are softer than the ones on the plug so it would be easy to strip if not careful.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would get brass, personally.

 

[Scott Danforth]

okay so a stainless plug in a brass hole is okay? Sorry to ask again but I read somewhere it could cause some issues...BUT I don't plan to leave it in the darn thing like the previous owner did...I suppose the threads on the flange are softer than the ones on the plug so it would be easy to strip if not careful.

brass plug in brass hole

1-1/2 to 2 flats past finger tight is all the tighter you need (that is about a 90-120 degree swing of the wrench)