Broken bolt bravo 3 transom water housing

tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
in General Boating Discussions
So next issue. Broken 1/4 20 bolt holding water intake housing. Tried today. Heating it with a heat gun and PB blaster was able to grab it with a vice grip but it wouldn't turn. Try the heating and PB blaster if you more times. Anyone have any suggestions? Hesitant to get the map torch in there because the boat is stored indoors with about 100 boats. May have to go that route though. I pulled the oil lube filter and anything else that couldn't take any heat out of the area pulled the steering arm to open up some space. Wish I would have came out. I would have been all set. Going to let it sit with the PB blaster for a couple days as I have to work. I also have a welder maybe weld on a nut but same issue. Or I ordered a right angle drill and some stubby bits. I think I have enough room but that's a whole other issue. I really don't want to go down. Anybody have any other chemicals to try before I try to drill itwe
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  • YYZRCYYZRC ✭✭✭✭✭
    That’s brutal. Working back there sucks. I have no useful advice except if you can fit the right angle drill in there, maybe you can use one of those screw extractor bits to get the bolt out. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • aero3113aero3113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You’re probably going to have to use a torch to get it hot enough. When you get the vice grips on there try to tighten it a little then try to back it off. Do that a couple of times, might free it up. Hopefully letting it soak will help.
    2008 330EC
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  • rasburyrasbury ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not sure I understand where this is at, but, what caused it to break?
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  • Rich_Rich_ ✭✭✭
    Aero-kroil (Kroil - Best Penetrating Oil | Kano Laboratories, LLC) is some good stuff as well if looking for an alternative spray. 

    As Aero3113 said, if it moves, work it back and forth- don't just try to remove it on the first shot unless it moves freely.
    Rinker sold but still have other boats        Eastern LI, NY
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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
    edited March 2023
    Well the plan is to take my mig welder to the boat and weld on a fender washer then a nut to try to remove. hopefully wont trip a breaker need about a 75 foot extension cord to get to gfi power. Just hope I have enough clearance.

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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭

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  • aero3113aero3113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hopefully that will work for you. With that heat, I don’t see why it shouldn’t!
    2008 330EC
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn mod
    Good luck!  That is really a tough spot!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • aero3113aero3113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    rasbury said:
    Not sure I understand where this is at, but, what caused it to break?
    @rasbury , it’s the water intake behind the engine at the transom.
    2008 330EC
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 ✭✭✭✭
    tricountytrail said:
    Well the plan is to take my mig welder to the boat and weld on a fender washer then a nut to try to remove. hopefully wont trip a breaker need about a 75 foot extension cord to get to gfi power. Just hope I have enough clearance.

    If you have a closer non-protected outlet, just run over to your big box home center and pick up a portable GFCI Adapter. They're about $20-30. I keep one in my toolbox. Works great.
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  • rasburyrasbury ✭✭✭✭✭
    aero3113 said:
    rasbury said:
    Not sure I understand where this is at, but, what caused it to break?
    @rasbury , it’s the water intake behind the engine at the transom.
    Ah, that makes since- at this point the motor must be out? What caused it to fail, is it rusted out? Seems to be more to the story?
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  • YYZRCYYZRC ✭✭✭✭✭
    Leaking steering pin caused water intake bolt to corrode. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
    Finally got it out it was a battle twisted it off flush. Thought I was screwed and was gonna try and drill which would have been a nightmare. Just put a thin washer and welded on a blob as a last ditch effort and was able to get it free.
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  • aero3113aero3113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That’s great @tricountytrail!! You should be proud! Wear that bolt around your neck and you can tell the story whenever anyone asks what it is. LoL 😂 
    2008 330EC
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn mod
    That is great you were able to get it out!!  I agree with aero, I’d definitely keep it!  Great story piece over some drinks

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • YYZRCYYZRC ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2023
    @tricountytrail you might want to replace the oil fitting 22-861150T02 while you're at it - they're under $15 and cheap insurance IMO.
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
    Now for the next issue stripped hinge pin on bell housing.
    I ordered some helicoils 5/8-18 
    but looking for 2 complete housings 41646A 9 if anyone knows someone.
    Wish i had known BEFORE I completely attached everything.
    And yes I have 2 full sets of anodes to put on yet and paint.
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  • aero3113aero3113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @tricountytrail theres a few of them on eBay.
    2008 330EC
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  • earl1z19earl1z19 ✭✭✭
    You can check with JR Marine, they can repair your bell housings good as new
    https://jrmarine.com/products/bellhousing.htm

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  • GMSLITHOGMSLITHO ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2023
    I bought a stainless steel one from them 
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  • earl1z19earl1z19 ✭✭✭
    GMSLITHO said:
    I bought a stainless steel one from them 
    I had no idea there was such a thing

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  • YYZRCYYZRC ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2023
    SS gimbal will last forever and cheaper than a new gimbal ring from Merc. Win-win. 

    It is crazy to me that the 200lbs or so of outdrive and all the thrust they generate is supported by two 1/2” pins and some melted down aluminum cans. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
    Bell Housing all helicoiled worked out well. was able to pull bellhousing back enough leaving everything installed to drill and tap. retorqued to 100 ft lbs.
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  • LaReaLaRea mod
    @YYZRC I figured the reason they used aluminum alloy for the gimbal ring was to avoid mixing metals.  Having another big chunk of stainless steel seems like a corrosion risk.  
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  • YYZRCYYZRC ✭✭✭✭✭
    Maybe, altho the gimbal ring is attached to the drive with SS hardware at four points and there’s lots of other stainless (props, gears). Who knows. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • tricountytrailtricountytrail ✭✭
    Finally got it all back together. All new parts except for the transom plate. Both drives ready to go except for the digital trim limits. Could set it according to instructions. Will try with rinda laptop once its in the water. First have to wash and wax it.



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