Crap! Now I find a aluminum nut in the bilge.

[cliffblue]

2001 4.3L Alpha one. Had the wood insert replaced in this aluminum deck boat spring a year ago. I have found several things since then that indicates the person who put it back together was a lazy *** moron. The next to the last discovery was the right rear motor mount had no nut on it. After installing a regular plated nylon locking nut and realigning the engine again, I then find a 1/2" aluminum nylon locking nut in the bilge. When I vacuumed out the bilge looking for the lost motor mount nut, all I found was a ground wire that probably goes under the nut that appeared yesterday. I understand that the bottom 2 Bolts/studs on the through transom assembly are aluminum. Is that where this nut belongs?

 

[achris]

Re: Crap! Now I find a aluminum nut in the bilge.

No. That aluminum nut is the lost one of the rear mounting bolts you replaced with a plated one. If you can removed the one you put in and replace it with the ali one you just found, without removing the engine you won't need to realign the engine. I've done it, but it's not easy.

Chris......

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Crap! Now I find a aluminum nut in the bilge.

Ya got that right. I stabbed the plated one in using a magnet on a stick and a long small shank screwdriver. I have no experience with aluminum fasteners. They make me cringe because I have visions of stripped threads. I think I will order a new one instead of using the old one. Maybe the plated one will make it another month without seizing. Thanks Chris.