Bravo 3 stripped ram anoded holes

[stelios hondrcolos]

I cannot get the little 8mm bolts on the collar zinc to bite into the ram end cap holes. It seems stripped holes is a common problem.
There is no room to tap new threads without dissasembling the ram, or get a drill in straight to add a helicoil.
Someone suggested using a 3/4 x 2 1/8 inch shaft zinc which will fit. https://www.marineengine.com/boat-accessories/anodes/CMX01M Any thoughts?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Did you try using your finger to apply pressure to the tap and using a small wrench? You're only going into aluminum so it's not too hard to get the tap to start to bite. Shaft anodes are fine (although I tend to believe the anodes attached directly to the rams do a better job of protecting the aluminum) - just make sure you have the clearance.

 

[hughespat57]

Take the tap down to a local pawn shop. They often have bins full of misc sockets. Find a twelve point socket that fits the tap. Then use an extension to be clear of the rams.
As stated aluminum is easy to tap.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Take the tap down to a local pawn shop. They often have bins full of misc sockets. Find a twelve point socket that fits the tap. Then use an extension to be clear of the rams.
As stated aluminum is easy to tap.

Good point... with the drive tilted way up, given the little bit of "slop" in a socket, it should provide for the clearance by the time you get to the ram end (and no need for a universal joint). Use a 12-point socket. Just hold the tap straight with your fingers.

 

[stelios hondrcolos]

Did you try using your finger to apply pressure to the tap and using a small wrench? You're only going into aluminum so it's not too hard to get the tap to start to bite. Shaft anodes are fine (although I tend to believe the anodes attached directly to the rams do a better job of protecting the aluminum) - just make sure you have the clearance.

What size tap to use?

 

[Lazy Daze]

What size tap to use?

Just go up one size - depends on what you have access to regarding bolts and taps. Anything slightly bigger will work.

 

[stelios hondrcolos]

Take the tap down to a local pawn shop. They often have bins full of misc sockets. Find a twelve point socket that fits the tap. Then use an extension to be clear of the rams.
As stated aluminum is easy to tap.

I went to HDX and tried all the sockets. metric and sae, in half mm increments 4-4.5-5MM and alleither too big or too small for the tap.

 

[stelios hondrcolos]

Just go up one size - depends on what you have access to regarding bolts and taps. Anything slightly bigger will work.

I managed to get a 10-32 tap in and turn it PAINFULLY SLOWLY with pliers to try to chase the threads.
It will hold the bolt with out the anode on. But when I try to attach the anode the 3/4 inch bolt is not long enough to get a grip
into the hole.
Going to try a 1 inch and maybe some more lockwashers on the anode side if they are too long.
IF i can drill and tap the hole a little deeper, or go t o1/4-20 into the end cap, how much deeper can I go into the hole without
destroying something?

 

[Lazy Daze]

You don't need to drill. You already have a hole. I'm sure there's room to go at least a little deeper, but I couldn't tell you how much. Just go to the next size tap.

 

[Espos4]

I went to HDX and tried all the sockets. metric and sae, in half mm increments 4-4.5-5MM and alleither too big or too small for the tap.

Needs to be a 12 point SAE socket. Something around 1/4 give or take.

 

[Brite Idea]

How about the anode that clamps onto the trim rod? We did it on a friends boat last year and it worked fine.

 

[Lazy Daze]

How about the anode that clamps onto the trim rod? We did it on a friends boat last year and it worked fine.

Yes, we mentioned that above - although relatively quickly.