1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

Aesculus

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Jun 25, 2004
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I know it's "pot metal" but still managed to strip threads in the armature plate where the hold-down screw for one set of points attaches. Now,it will not tighten. Any suggestions? I don't think epoxy would work. Anyone ever re-tap oversize and use a larger screw? Open for suggestions. New armature plate?<br /><br />Burgie
 

Paul Moir

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Re: 1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

It's actually the same metal as the rest of the engine is made of - a suprisingly corrosion resistant castible aluminum. If it were pot metal, it would be dust by now.<br />Since that's a 'universal magneto' ignition system, there'll be millions of those plates around. Last time I was at my local outboard junkyard, they had stacks of them. So if one is local, that's probably your best bet.<br />Twin City Outboards will sell you one too. <br />Another possibility is to install a heli-coil thread repair. One of those thread-repair epoxies may work well in this application, but it's important to get good electrical contact between the point and the armature plate, so shine up the metal under it first, and apply a little grease there before mounting the point.<br />Retapping for a larger screw will undoubtably work perfect. But you'll have to ream out the point to accept the larger screw.<br />Don't torque down too hard on those screws. Use loctite instead (blue).<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />EDIT: Looks like JB posted during my 100th or so edit of my post. :)
 

JB

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Re: 1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

Hi, Burgie.<br /><br />Yes, I have fixed many a stripper by drilling out to the next size and tapping. Fixes the problem with a stronger attachment.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 

Aesculus

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Jun 25, 2004
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Re: 1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

Thanks guys. As always, good advice.
 

Aesculus

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Re: 1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

Originally posted by Burgie:<br /> Thanks guys. As always, good advice.
Friday 20 AUG : I have tapped and snugged the screw down w/loctite. Now,is a brass screw going to react with the aluminum? Maybe I should be using a stainless screw?
 

Paul Moir

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Re: 1959 35HP: armature plate stripped threads!

I wouldn't worry - normally you have a steel one in there afterall. Plus there's a mixture of a dozen different metals in that plate already, and that doesn't seem to cause a problem. And if seawater did get up in there, then you would have bigger problems anyway.<br />The only problem you may have is the loctite holding the screw too well, and not being able to remove it later. If that's the case, you'll need to heat the screw to destroy the loctite.<br />The brass is a better conductor. :)
 
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