Just about buttoned up

[MAXXIE]

I have everything completed on my 1st winterizing of my Force 85. Ran it with the fuel stabilizer & sprayed the intakes with fogging oil while running, then fogged cylinders, cleaned/ reinstalled plugs, took out drain plug for lower unit oil (looked like brand new btw), but have yet to refill with the new gear oil. I can't seem to be able to budge the fill or vent screws. I sprayed them with that nut buster penetrating oil & let them sit over night & still could not get them loose. There both large single slot screw plugs, I have a screw driver that fits them, but really can't apply the tork needed. I assume that they are factory & they were out in the start of the season because I was there when the mech. changed the gear oil when I bought it. Anyone have any ideas/Tricks to get these out? Let me know. When I do end up getting them out I'm going to replace with some type of hex head.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Just about buttoned up

I've run into the same problem on occasion. I have a large screw driver that has a square shank on it. The tip of the screw driver is as wide as the slot in the "Fill/Vent" plug. I put an adjustable wrench on the square part of the shank to get extra leverage to turn the screw driver to break'em free while I put my body weight against the screw driver. If you don't have a square shank, you can try a pair of vice-grip pliers. Make sure you inspect the gaskets under each fill plug. Replace gaskets if necessary.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Just about buttoned up

Get a handheld impact driver for those screws..... very valuable tool for the tool box.

No need to replace the screws .....just do not tighten them with the impact driver

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Just about buttoned up

Ya, my screwdriver has the sq. shank on it for the wrench & I still can't get it. I did not even think of the impact driver, I'll be heading down to Harbor Freight in an hour or so & pick one up. Thanks, that's just the idea I was looking for, I've used it before but didn't even think of it. There you go......When dumbfounded, ask the question.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Just about buttoned up

If you don't mind the heads protruding a bit from the lower unit, a 3/8 X 16 stainless allen head bolt can have the threaded end ground down to about 3/8 long and works quite well.

If the bolts are so tight that you could not get them off with a square shank screwdriver and wrench, then replace the gaskets too.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Just about buttoned up

Just make sure you don't screw up the slot when your banging on the impact driver.
Make sure thet the screwdriver head is BIG and it fits GOOD.
Try hitting it with a hammer first to loosen anything siezed on the threads.
I've had to use heat one time.It was on a drive that I was rebuilding anyway.
Good luck,J

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Just about buttoned up

First I got a $6.00 Impact Driver from Harbor Freight, Junk, didn't turn when struck with hammer, Glad I tested it on something else first. Then I went to Sears, $19.99 got me a nicer one & 5 min.'s after getting it home the screws were off, one light hit each. I guess they were just stuck enough that hand power would not do. I'm filling now, very slow going, a little chilly out side today & the funnel I'm using is quite narrow & the 90w takes it's time flowing down there. I though I saw a hand pump thing at Gander Mt. for swapping out gear oil the last time I was there. I'll get one of those for the next time. Today I'll have to figure out how best to strap the cover & tarps down so there's no problems over the winter. It must suck to look out at the boat in the middle of the winter after a storm & see the covers blown off & the boat full of snow. This will not happen to me. Still working on the storage garage thing, still the best option all the way around. OK, Babbled long enough.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Just about buttoned up

You have added a nice to have tool to your tool box Glad it worked for you.

Frank had a good idea about changing out the screws too.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Just about buttoned up

Ya, I may do that. I'm just happy to get those out without any more trouble. Come to think of it, thinking back I could have used this tool many times in the past & on top of that I'm just starting a resto-mod of my 1966 GTO. I'm quite sure there will be plenty of opportunity's for the impact driver on that project.

 

[Jenason]

Re: Just about buttoned up

If it helps, the local freight depot, trucking co.. will have saran wrap in a 16" roll, I bought that before and wrapped the SH*& out of the sucker after it was tarped, just like a big ham sandwich, no winter storm gonna blow that baby off...M2C