You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot in the
head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade to loosen
the bolt.


"SamS" wrote in message
...
I had the same problem on a 76 merc. A metric 8mm(I think) was just
slightly
bigger than the 5/16. I tapped it in and it held to get the allen loose.
Good luck.

wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:34:49 -0400, let wrote:

Trying to replace trim tab on mercruiser outdrive.
5/16 bolt stripped by last owner. Any ideas how
to get it out.

Thanks
Called local marina. They say that they saw thru the bolts
from the side!! Little bit of housing gone NO big deal.
Sounds scary to me.
Thanks for all the tips & sugestions you guys have given me.
I'll be thinking about this one for awhile.I'll eventually let you
know how it turns out. Thanks again

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot in
the head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade to
loosen the bolt.


The head of the bolt sits recessed inside hole on the OD and cannot be cut
with a Dremel.

" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot in
the head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade to
loosen the bolt.


The head of the bolt sits recessed inside hole on the OD and cannot be cut
with a Dremel.


Take a dremel with the cutting disk and cut a slot in the middle of the
bolt. So, you cut some of the trim tab at the same time. Be deal, you are
replacing the tab anyway.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
link.net...

" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot in
the head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade
to loosen the bolt.


The head of the bolt sits recessed inside hole on the OD and cannot be
cut with a Dremel.


Take a dremel with the cutting disk and cut a slot in the middle of the
bolt. So, you cut some of the trim tab at the same time. Be deal, you
are replacing the tab anyway.


He got it out already Bill, using the larger allen wrench suggestion. ;-)

Clearly you have never worked on one of these. The head of the bolt is
inside the upper unit about 1 1/2 inchs down from a hole that is about
a 1/2 inch in diameter. Normally you stick an allen wrench down in the
hole and feel around until you get it in the bolt. It's hard to even
see the bolt head. There is no way that anyone is going to get a
dremel down in that.

Sounds like he got it out.

Calif Bill wrote:
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot in
the head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade to
loosen the bolt.


The head of the bolt sits recessed inside hole on the OD and cannot be cut
with a Dremel.


Take a dremel with the cutting disk and cut a slot in the middle of the
bolt. So, you cut some of the trim tab at the same time. Be deal, you are
replacing the tab anyway.

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
oups.com...
Clearly you have never worked on one of these. The head of the bolt is
inside the upper unit about 1 1/2 inchs down from a hole that is about
a 1/2 inch in diameter. Normally you stick an allen wrench down in the
hole and feel around until you get it in the bolt. It's hard to even
see the bolt head. There is no way that anyone is going to get a
dremel down in that.

Sounds like he got it out.

Calif Bill wrote:
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
You could also use a Dremel tool and the cutting disks to cut a slot
in
the head of the bolt and then use an impact driver with the flat blade
to
loosen the bolt.


The head of the bolt sits recessed inside hole on the OD and cannot be
cut
with a Dremel.


Take a dremel with the cutting disk and cut a slot in the middle of the
bolt. So, you cut some of the trim tab at the same time. Be deal, you
are
replacing the tab anyway.


Nope, my Outboards for the last 20 years have been 15 hp Mariner and Yamaha
T-8 now. Before that was a big Merc Tower of Power. And the Mariner had a
big piece of zinc around the bolt. The T-8 has a large flat zinc with a hex
head recessed bolt. Both could be gotten at with a dremel, cutting the zinc
also.