"Maynard G. Krebbs" wrote
I found a set of left-handed drill bits at Sears or Eastwoods
(well...somewhere). They cut turning the oppisite direction as a
regular drill bit.
Works well for drilling out bolts. Usually snags it part way through
the operation and spins the bolt out.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=38180

wrote
Almost 100% sure. Outdrive is a pre-alpha (1977)
But tomorrow l"ll give 3/8 a try. Thanks for your
help.

Mine's a 77 also, all original, and it's 5/16. Have you actually seen down
in the hole and confirmed that it's stripped? Something that's happened to
me a few times is I miss my target and get the wrench wedged between the
outside of the bolt head and the upper housing in front of it and it feels
like it's stripping.

"Maynard G. Krebbs" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:49:57 -0400, let wrote:

On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:21:44 GMT, "Justin-SEI"
wrote:

Are you sure it is 5/16? The replacement bolts have been 3/8 for the last
15
years or so. You still see a 5/16 one every now and then, but give a 3/8
a
shot to see if it fits.

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

Thanks

Almost 100% sure. Outdrive is a pre-alpha (1977)
But tomorrow l"ll give 3/8 a try. Thanks for your
help.

I found a set of left-handed drill bits at Sears or Eastwoods
(well...somewhere). They cut turning the oppisite direction as a
regular drill bit.
Works well for drilling out bolts. Usually snags it part way through
the operation and spins the bolt out.
Mark E. Williams

Drill kit I bought has screw removers for philips screws, would probably
work with allen also. Basically a large reverse drill bit, with just the
point.

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

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.

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
Trim tab is off. (several guys suggested this)
Pounded oversized wrench in head of bolt.Didn't think it was going
to hold,but it moved a little and finally after several soakings got
it off.Was almost ready to break out the drills. Now on to this water
pump- impeller thingy.
I want to thank everybody again for all the help and suggestions.
Could not have done it alone. Have several other issues that I'm
sure I'll be running by you guys, as for now I think I'll go fishing
in my 50 gallon outdoor pond sittin in the driveway on my "new" old
boat.
Thanks again
ribari

" 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.