Transom Plate threads

[jdonalds]

Is it true the Transom Plate is threaded? If so I either have a stripped bolt or I need to buy a new transom plate (6S8-G5831-00-94).

Today I sucked up a ski rope, only the third or fourth time in 7 years. It was so badly wound around that I decided to pull the pump. When I reinstalled the pump the upper left bolt wouldn't tighten.

 

[McMark]

Can you get a helicoil in there?

 

[itsdgm]

That's a bummer. How do the threads on the bolt look? It's possible that the bolt stripped not the plate. A second thought would be that it's possible that a bolt, say 5mm longer might get to "fresh threads" in the plate if the plate threads were stripped out. Anyway, hope you figure it out soon so you can get back on the water @jdonalds

 

[jdonalds]

Dennis, I'll have to pull the bolt and hope it is stripped rather than the plate. But I'm taking the boat out today. I figure there are still four bolts and all of the tension on the pump is actually such that the bolts shouldn't be heavily loaded.

Good suggestion on a longer bolt. I'll keep that in mind.

I was quite surprised that the bolt kept turning after it was fully seated. I was only using a 3/8" socket set so no breaker bar. I doubt if I stripped it with the medium force I was able to supply yesterday.

The boat is now 10 years old, and I've had it for 7 years. All I've ever had to do is change the oil, filters, and spark plugs. The port engine has always had a vibration and never behaved as well as the starboard engine. So I think I'm going to turn the boat over to the local Yamaha dealer to have them check the engines and do anything that needs to be done to keep them in top top shape. At the same time I'll pull the pumps and have the impellers serviced. I'll see if the pumps need grease and if any water has gotten in.

So one last day, then things will be down for the winter.

Thanks for your response.

 

[jdonalds]

I swapped bolts from the right to left side and both cinched up tightly. I suspect if I buy new bolts I'll be okay. The bolt that acted stripped looked okay, but the threads weren't too deep. It was like it was worn down rather than stripped.

 

[itsdgm]

Whew, That's good news for sure.

 

[swatski]

@jdonalds I like @itsdgm idea of using a slightly longer (and fresh) bolt. Looking for an odd bolt earlier this year I discovered this company/bolt warehouse Fastenal, seem to have branches everywhere.

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[jdonalds]

@jdonalds I like @itsdgm idea of using a slightly longer (and fresh) bolt. Looking for an odd bolt earlier this year I discovered this company/bolt warehouse Fastenal, seem to have branches everywhere.

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Not knowing what is on the other side of the transom plate I was concerned about using a longer bolt. It could penetrate the other side of the transom plate and crack fiberglass. So I ordered 8 new standard bolts from the Watercraft Superstore. The only way I would use a longer bolt is if I removed the transom plate to examine it and I'm not interested in doing that. If I have continuing problems I'll have to try that though.

 

[swatski]

Not knowing what is on the other side of the transom plate I was concerned about using a longer bolt. It could penetrate the other side of the transom plate and crack fiberglass. So I ordered 8 new standard bolts from the Watercraft Superstore. The only way I would use a longer bolt is if I removed the transom plate to examine it and I'm not interested in doing that. If I have continuing problems I'll have to try that though.

I hear you, and agree one wouldn't want to go more than a fraction of an inch longer. I considered doing the transom re-seal at some point in the past, apparently those often are missing sealant, as in this thread by Green Hulk himself.
http://www.greenhulk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117375&highlight=transom+plate

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I believe you could use a screwdriver or similar item to probe it and see just how deep the bolt hole goes , then compare it to the total draw of the bolt through the pump I bet you can add a cm or more to the length with no issues.

 

[jdonalds]

I believe you could use a screwdriver or similar item to probe it and see just how deep the bolt hole goes , then compare it to the total draw of the bolt through the pump I bet you can add a cm or more to the length with no issues.

That's smart thinking.

At this point I'm planning on pulling the pumps for a winter maintenance step. It's now 10 years old with close to zero service for all of those years. I'm planning on pulling the transom plates to ensure they are sealed properly. I've read where there is missing sealant on those plates in some cases. I have been experiencing a lot of cavitation this summer.