Seacock Ooops

[Northstar1014]

Well I've really done it now.

I was cleaning up one of my Spartan seacocks (I think it's a 1 inch, could be 3/4) and I broke off the "winter drain plug". This was not a traditional square headed plug, but rather a bronze machine screw with a slot for a flat head screwdriver. The head broke off. I drilled down the middle of it with a tiny drill bit, but that's as far as I could get with it. Even with oil and attention I can't get the rest out. I was thinking I could drill it out with a bit and rethread it for an 8-32 bronze machine screw? I understand that the original threads were an odd size. Good idea?

Thanks for any help!

[Jim Walsh]

If I were able to gain the access required that's precisily what I'd do.Don't be afraid to try a little heat if possible.

[Maine_Buzzard]

I swapped my 3/4 engine intake seacock several years ago (pm) and have the original hanging around.

Would you like it - buy me a beer at Handy Boat this summer.

Call 239-8655

James

[Oswego John]

Hmmm. Maine Buzzard made you an offer that's hard to beat.

What I was thinking about is that you might consider drilling the proper size hole in the plug and then insert an EZ-Out screw extractor in the plug's hole and ease the plug out.

This weekend there is a sale on a 12 piece extractor set at Harbor Freight. Six various size hardened steel extractors along with six correct sized drill bits. The set is on sale for $8.99.

Catalogue item # is 40349.

Good luck,
O J

[M. R. Bober]

Try a generous dose of PB Blaster and then use a EZ out. Some of the Spartan seacocks used a bronze panhead screw that is nearly impossible to locate (I can check the size & thread if you need it). Paul @ Robinhood, who knows all things, McMasters, Jamestown, etc. all drew blanks. If you drill aim for 1/4" 20tpi, very common size.

Never let PB Blaster contact gaskets or seals.

Good luck,

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where a certain DIY boatyard worker came home very dirty today.) VA

[Northstar1014]

Thanks all for the great thoughts.

James that would be great---i am going to give the threads a shot tomorrow and will call you if it goes poorly.

I tried the extractor route but it wouldn't catch in the bronze. I will try tomorrow with a tap and die kit to see if that works.

I will find out if Hamilton Marine has a bronze machine screw in 1/4 20 tpi

[Maine_Buzzard]

One last thought. Do you really need the bleeder screw? Not the worst thing in the world to leave it in and plugged.

[Keith]

All,

One last thought. Do you really need the bleeder screw? Not the worst thing in the world to leave it in and plugged.

[/color]

One of mine broke of last year and I just left it as is with out any problems. The head pretty much disintegrated when I put the screw driver blade to the head and started to turn. But if you have already drilled it through then you have to stay the course and drill and tap it for a new screw.

Keith

[Northstar1014]

I wish I could leave it but I've already got a little hole in the center of the bad bolt from my tiny drill bit. So I'm sure it would leak. So I need to tap it and finish the job.

Lesson learned: if it ain't broke.....

[Northstar1014]

I got lucky.

I went back with a new drill bit, a tap and die, and a new drill battery.

Went nice and slow, applied cutting oil, and was able to thread the seacock to accept a new little machine bolt. The store only had brass and nylon, so I got both, went with the brass, and applied lots of thread tape. I will let that be until I can find a bronze bolt.

Came home very sore and tired after a long day of boat chores. Thanks all for the support.

[M. R. Bober]

Handy tip: In a pinch, you can use milk as cutting oil. Do NOT use cutting oil as milk.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where it's a beautiful day to go to the boatyard.) VA

[Northstar1014]

Almost forgot, has anyone with a 27 successfully been able to reach / dis-assemble the seacock for the galley sink?

I believe it is a Spartan 3/4 and is located aft of the raw water seacock. It must be in the worst possible location.

Reaching it appears entirely impossible: From the starboard locker, it is too far forward; from the engine compartment and the little access door under the galley sink, it is too far aft to reach. I can barely reach the handle (it turns), but I worry some day I may need to grease it.

[M. R. Bober]

Almost forgot, has anyone with a 27 successfully been able to reach / dis-assemble the seacock for the galley sink?

I believe it is a Spartan 3/4 and is located aft of the raw water seacock. It must be in the worst possible location.

Reaching it appears entirely impossible: From the starboard locker, it is too far forward; from the engine compartment and the little access door under the galley sink, it is too far aft to reach. I can barely reach the handle (it turns), but I worry some day I may need to grease it.

I used to remove the drawer in galley for access. IMHO the worst location was cockpit scupper seacock (starboard) on the CD27.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where seldom is heard a discouraging word except during seacock maintenance.) VA

[bottomscraper]

The topic of seacock screws has come up several times in the past. Below is one of the more interesting threads.

The original screws are 12-24 which are very hard to find in silicon bronze.

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... ock#p67021

I know others have drilled out an tapped for the more common 1/4-20 screws but personally I have a bit of problem with that. The outside diameter of a 12-24 screw is 0.221 in. The recommended drill size for tapping a 1/4-20 screw is smaller at 0.201. With the 1/4-20 screw you don't really have much thread.

1/4-28 would be much better but bronze screws in 1/4-28 might be unobtainium.

Fastenal does sell 12-24 x 1/2" round head screws in silicon bronze but they are a bit pricey.

https://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/0179415

[Northstar1014]

For anyone still tuned in, I was finally able to disassemble and grease the nearly-inaccessible sink seacock.

After looking at it a while and then thinking about it some more, I just squeezed right in and took it apart. Wasn't easy, but I got it eventually.