Installing the New Version of the Bell Crank With the Grease port

[KM7]

I'm installing the new version of the Bell Crank with the grease port. It has a hole drilled through it to allow you to grease it through a Zerk fitting. I have to remove the plug that is in the Pivot Housing.

Any tips on doing that?
I could drill it out. It will have to be a water-tight seal when it is all back together.

 

[KM7]

The new part number with the grease port is 0915796 Bellcrank

It replaces 0911722

 

[alldodge]

Hey @Lou C or @Scott Danforth have any ideas?

 

[Lou C]

Ok I also bought that, mine didn't have one being a 1988. HOWEVER....I don't know that I will install it because, I'm not sure that I will be able to get that plug out and also, the next time I have to replace the shift cable, I doubt that the shift cable retaining nut will come out of the pivot housing, so I will probably wind up replacing my original with a spare fresh water used one I bought.
Also, while I think this is a great idea, what I have done for over 20 years in salt water is simply this:
each season drive gets pulled
I clean out any crud that is behind the bellcrank
Grease it up good with marine grease
and every 5 seasons or so, replace that little O-ring that goes on the bellcrank shaft, that's what keeps water from the exhaust area out of the bellcrank area. If when you pull the drive, the grease in there looks milky, that oring is probably leaking/all flattened out.
I also clean off the sealing surfaces of the drive, and pivot housing, and coat both with OMC gasket sealer, same with the gasket. This keeps water out pretty well, and keeping water out, and the bellcrank greased, will keep your Cobra shifting like it should, with just 2 fingers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I do not

 

[KM7]

I successfully removed the plug. My understanding is that the new plug with the Zerk fitting can be installed from the outside after the new Bellcrank and shift lever are installed. It could be done even after the complete OD is installed. But can someone confirm that? Since this is a modification to the original configuration, none of the manuals and reference materials I have discuss the installation. Would there be a Service Bulletin for this?

You may notice the Socket head bolt instead of the standard hardware in the shift lever. That is because I had to drill out and tap new threads into the lever. It was damaged getting the broken bolt out. I tapped 5/16 - 18. I used a stainless steel socket head and threadlocker to keep things in place.

 

[Lou C]

Looks good!
I will probably wait till I have to change the shift cable and then see if it will come out of my original pivot housing or if I have to replace it with the spare one I have....