grady drive brackett

[88ctseafarer]

Hi all I have two questions regarding Grady drive

my drain plug threads in brackett no longer seems to tighten. I assume it is a pipe thread and the taper has worn. Any body have anything like or any good ideas for fix

Also I do not have splsh plate on my brackett is this something I should have or is it not necassary

Thanks
Mike

 

[Tuna Man]

Mike, here are a couple of ideas off the top of my head.
Purchase or borrow a properly sized NPT (national pipe thread) pipe tap, I'm pretty sure it is a 1/2"pipe thread. This tap will allow you to 're-create' the threads that were once there. I used a tap on mine and it worked like a charm. Once the threads look decent again put two wraps (clockwise with the square head facing your feet) on the the aluminum or stainless pipe plug with a high quality teflon tape (I strongly recommend LaCo brand teflon, it really is much better than most). Tighten the plug by hand and then snug with an open end wrench or a 8" adjustable wrench. No need to overtighten, you are only going into aluminum about 1/4" thick.

If this does not make sense or you have other questions, just fire away and I'll try to help.

 

[BobP]

Inspect your plug and female drive fitting, any galvanic damage?
What is plug made of ?

I would try a new aluminum plug I hear they sell at Walmart, wrap several layers of teflon tape, you may have to experiment. I wrap enough so the plug goes in snug all the way. It will not loosen.

Try this before abandoning the existing plug for boring another near the first or attempting to enlarge the first.

The splash plate is only needed for Mercs and Yamahas, the OMC engines 1989 and up were equipped with an optional bolt on extention to serve the same purpose.

Modern engines are much better sealed than engines of past, my yamahas don't let in a drop.

 

[BobKat]

Grady Drive

I lost the original plug and I have since been using a rubber plug with a plastic tightening device that works great. Don't use the brass tightening kind or it may deteriorate the aluminum around the drain hole as I have found out.

 

[Grog]

It's most likely 1/2" NPT. You can buy or borrow a drill and tap for 3/4" NPT and get an Aluminum or PVC/marlon plug. Just check how much "meat" you have to tap into.

 

[88ctseafarer]

Thanks for the ideas on the drain plug. I trailer my boat and have been in the habit of removing plug on every return maybe this has worn the threads in the almag. I believe the plug maybe brass I will have to double check. Regarding the spray shield I was more concerned about ingesting mist and spray into engine since air intake is in rear.I have an 02 evinrude 225 and am stil wondering about spray shield
Once again thank you
Mike