Russ Calasant
Active Member
:smt021 While replacing OEM Merc manifold, risers and elbows this weekend I learned something the hard way. Even though I had done this job on other boats years ago I felt it nessesary to analyze the crap out of the process and ask everyone I know (twice) for thier advice.
I read in the Merc manual while installing the drain plugs into the castings to just snug them up. They didnt say why just that you could crack the casting, enough for me. Little did I know the actual reason, tapered fitting, would have been good to know. This is why - having that thought in my head while I was screwing the rods into the manifold I twisted them in until they seemed to budge no further, of course scared to death they would crack at any moment. I would still like to know the proper process to actually screw them in ( I used the nut - and ripped some threads ). Because when it came time to slide on the riser and elbow and torque down the nuts it pulled the rods right out of the manifold! Major bummer, thank god they were not in too deep so it still had plenty of thread to clear out and drive them all the way down until the bottomed out - litteraly twisting that rod with so much torque in order to drive them in. Would have been nice to know - drive those rods all the way in!!
Such a relatively simple job became a major pain in the ass. I hope this story helps someone. :smt001
I read in the Merc manual while installing the drain plugs into the castings to just snug them up. They didnt say why just that you could crack the casting, enough for me. Little did I know the actual reason, tapered fitting, would have been good to know. This is why - having that thought in my head while I was screwing the rods into the manifold I twisted them in until they seemed to budge no further, of course scared to death they would crack at any moment. I would still like to know the proper process to actually screw them in ( I used the nut - and ripped some threads ). Because when it came time to slide on the riser and elbow and torque down the nuts it pulled the rods right out of the manifold! Major bummer, thank god they were not in too deep so it still had plenty of thread to clear out and drive them all the way down until the bottomed out - litteraly twisting that rod with so much torque in order to drive them in. Would have been nice to know - drive those rods all the way in!!
Such a relatively simple job became a major pain in the ass. I hope this story helps someone. :smt001
