Bravo 3 ram anode - stripped holes

[Stelios]

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

 

[Bt Doctur]

The threaded holes can be cleaned with a bottoming tap,drilled a slight bit deeper and tapped deeper. 10-32
He eggs will work but they protect the shaft not the cylinder that much but do work

 

[Stelios]

The threaded holes can be cleaned with a bottoming tap,drilled a slight bit deeper and tapped deeper. 10-32
He eggs will work but they protect the shaft not the cylinder that much but do work

10-32 is the size that is larger than what is there now?

 

[Bt Doctur]

then somebody stripped the originals and forced in the 8mm ones.
the parts listing shows 10-32 bolts

 

[Stelios]

then somebody stripped the originals and forced in the 8mm ones.
the parts listing shows 10-32 bolts

oh sorry - the hex bolt head is 8mm i dont know what the thread diameter is

 

[Bt Doctur]

thread size is 10-32

 

[Stelios]

thread size is 10-32

I appreciate your help this is turning onto a pain
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?

 

[Bt Doctur]

you cant drill the anode out that far.Use the 1 inch bolt and cut it shorter to fit the to get into the threads left. A trick i use is remove the ram, place in vise, rotate the end for clearance to drill slightly deeper and tap with a bottoming tap

 

[kghost]

When you get this to work,
Coat the screws and threaded holes wiyh,
Dielectric grease and you can get a tube at any auto parts store.

This is a electrically conductive grease and keeps moisture out and aids in lessening corrosion

Or use copper antiseize. This will do the same..

 

[Edchris177]

Isn’t di-electric grease, by definition, an insulator? The few high school automotive courses I took, many years ago, we were cautioned it was great stuff for keeping out water, & insulating connections from contamination/corrosion but don’t put it on the surfaces you want to be conductive.

 

[kghost]

Isn’t di-electric grease, by definition, an insulator? The few high school automotive courses I took, many years ago, we were cautioned it was great stuff for keeping out water, & insulating connections from contamination/corrosion but don’t put it on the surfaces you want to be conductive.

Well, Thats why I also included the use of COPPER ANTISIEZE.

 

[Edchris177]

Maybe I misinterpreted your post. It stated dielectric is conductive, then stated “or use copper ”