gear oil drain plug alternative to slotted screw driver?

[fourtwenty]

Alpha One, Gen2: Has anyone come across a drain plug that uses an allen key instead of slotted screwdriver? The slot on what I have is almost gone so I want to replace it but not with the same thing that will give me the same problem in a few years.

I remember buying a replacement for my 90HP evinrude outboard and they smartened up and made it an allen key. I want to do the same for the alpha one.

 

[racerone]

You might find that the Evinrude / Johnson drain plug is the same.--Will fit if Mercruiser uses 3/8-NC thread.---I have seen those hex allen ones stripped as well.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Get Biiig flat screw driver for that

 

[Scott Danforth]

use an impact driver if you screwed it too tight and damaged the slot.

 

[Stinnett21]

I bought the Sierra equivalent for same reason described above (slot getting worn out). Got it all pumped up, removed the pump end, stuck my finger over the hole to stop the bleeding while I grabbed my new Sierra drain plug. Wouldn't go in. Put slight pressure on with screwdriver but no luck. Let it hang there while I frantically searched and found the old one. Got a blue washer on it and swapped it out. Maybe I could have used more force and it would have worked but figured it wasn't worth finding out.

 

[achris]

... Sierra ...

 

[fourtwenty]

I bought the Sierra equivalent for same reason described above (slot getting worn out). Got it all pumped up, removed the pump end, stuck my finger over the hole to stop the bleeding while I grabbed my new Sierra drain plug. Wouldn't go in. Put slight pressure on with screwdriver but no luck. Let it hang there while I frantically searched and found the old one. Got a blue washer on it and swapped it out. Maybe I could have used more force and it would have worked but figured it wasn't worth finding out.

Good to know. I saw the Sierra one on Amazon.ca, if wasn't for the obscene $40 price I might have grabbed it.

 

[fourtwenty]

You might find that the Evinrude / Johnson drain plug is the same.--Will fit if Mercruiser uses 3/8-NC thread.---I have seen those hex allen ones stripped as well.

I checked after I posted this thread and it does look to be the same size/thread pitch but wasn't sure if there would be any issues if it was longer. I may buy one and compare it to the one that's there now.

 

[fourtwenty]

use an impact driver if you screwed it too tight and damaged the slot.

This is what I did last fall, the first time I changed the oil, but eventually it will be too stripped for that even. It was already damaged when I got it, don't want to damage it anymore.

 

[racerone]

Many sellers on AMAZON make money on the quick service delivery fee.

 

[Stinnett21]

As suggested above a wide screwdriver is the key. I tighten as much as possible by hand then grab the shaft of the screwdriver with small pliers, rock the screwdriver back and forth so I can feel when it's flat against the slot and nudge it a bit tighter. Most of the damage to my slot happened before I started doing it this way.

 

[G1K]

Assuming the screw is the same as a Bravo 1 - Imco makes a replacement with an external hex

Hex Head Drain Screw

Drain Screw

imcomarine.com

Ryan

 

[achris]

Assuming the screw is the same as a Bravo 1 - Imco makes a replacement with an external hex

Hex Head Drain Screw

Drain Screw

imcomarine.com

Ryan

It is (the same).

Chris...

 

[Stinnett21]

External hex would protrude, cause drag and disrupt water flow to prop???

 

[dingbat]

The first thing I do with a new motor is change the drain screw out for a hex head.
This one fits Evinrude, but I had the same design on my Merc I/o and outboards.

E-Tec Drain Screw for Johnson, Evinrude - Sierra 18-4255 - iboats.com

Sierra 18-4255 E-Tec Drain Screw - Since 1998, iboats is the most trusted water lifestyle online store for boat parts and accessories, boats for sale, and forums. Enjoy great priced products with fast shipping.

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