Gear case level and drain screws

[Vic.S]

Sometimes one sees socket head ( Allen type) drain/ level screws in the parts lists but most seem to have slotted heads

Anyone any idea why socket headed screws are not universally used.

 

[racerone]

This is just new ideas.-----The screw slot ones require that the screw driver is properly lined up and pushed into the slot.------Not so with the allen key ones.-----If the allen socket / wrench is in the hole it is " self aligned " and holding.----Just turn it.

 

[Vic.S]

Yes I know the difference .

On the face of it the Allen key ones would be better, by not relying on a screwdriver .in a slot

I wondered, therefore, why socket headed screws were not used in preference to slotted ones.

Is there some snag with socket headed screws that I am not aware of?

 

[racerone]

Maybe it costs 3 cents more to produce each one.----Maybe no manufacturer offered them.-----Maybe the hex head is the preffered type for robotic assembly that is used today.----ETC , ETC .

 

[hardwater fisherman]

According to another parts site BRP is no longer making/using the slotted fill and drain screws...And have replaced them with the allen socket head..

 

[Willyclay]

It's about time!

 

[Crosbyman]

I stripped a couple of allen heads …..but apparently one does not have to torque them excessively to stay in place

but I never had issues with slotted ones and a good screwdriver to match it

your call....

 

[jimmbo]

The issue with the slotted screws, was too many Brainiacs would insist on using a Too Small of Blade resulting in a Damaged Slot

 

[racerone]

Found one with allen head stripped too.-----Stainless is often quite soft.----Had to use the hammer & chisel method to get it out.

 

[Crosbyman]

imho 5/32 Allen is to small and they probably introduced a bigger problem with people torquing them to much into mush ...

7/32 or 1/4 would have provided more surface area :frusty:

 

[racerone]

On outboards it does not matter what you do.-----Somebody will figger out a way to damage it.-----Folks invent ways to destroy motors almost every day.

 

[jimmbo]

On outboards it does not matter what you do.-----Somebody will figger out a way to damage it.-----Folks invent ways to destroy motors almost every day.

You got that Right

 

[jimmbo]

First Slot, currently Hex. Coming soon, Torx. A full circle, as some Mental Midget will return to a Blade driver on it