Trying to put plugs back into exhaust riser

[Zaun]

So trying to get boat ready for summer. Reinstalling water lines and drain plugs. Well I get to my exhaust riser. There is a ton of rust and the plugs will only screw one maybe 1\2 to 1 turn my hand and another 1\2 to 1 turn by wrench before they get really out of my comfort zone for tightening. Below I have attached a picture of the plugs i had pulled out and the riser hole. Are these the correct plugs? And if so how do I get them in far enough? Currently I hit the holes with some wd40 and a toothbrush to try and knock some of the rust down but not so much luck...thanks for any help!

Having problems getting pics up will have them up momentarily

Edited April 27, 2014 by Zaun

[Zaun]

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/Goober01/library/Mobile%20Uploads Edited April 27, 2014 by Zaun

[racer808]

I shot mine with some wd40 & used a battery terminal cleaner, the pointy end which is a wire brush & cleaned the threads out. Works fine now & put them back in after draining the block to prevent it from happening again.

Heres a terminal cleaner I am talking about

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Great-Neck-Battery-terminal-brush/_/N-25ni?itemIdentifier=466493_0_0_

Edited April 27, 2014 by racer808

[Zaun]

Thanks...so I'm not alone haha

[nutoz]

If you are still having problems after the brushing. Buy a bottoming tap and carefully chase the threads, then you can use anti- seize on the plug and coat the threads after draining next season. Good luck

[Zaun]

Thanks! My boat is odd..very low hours...but a lot of odd things going on

[racer808]

Thanks! My boat is odd..very low hours...but a lot of odd things going on

It's a boat. Water, corrosion, it affects everything. The banging around on the water, loose connections, corroded terminals. I've chased down so many issues & fixed them all & it is because of this site! I don't know what I would do without the internet, there isn't much I haven't been able to do with wrenches, home renovations, etc from how to videos & forums. Google is like the father I never had.

[shawndoggy]

This is a good reason to re-install the drain plugs after you drain in the winter. No real reason to leave them out... it's pretty unlikely your block is going to spontaneously re-fill.

[Zaun]

It's a boat. Water, corrosion, it affects everything. The banging around on the water, loose connections, corroded terminals. I've chased down so many issues & fixed them all & it is because of this site! I don't know what I would do without the internet, there isn't much I haven't been able to do with wrenches, home renovations, etc from how to videos & forums. Google is like the father I never had.

So true

[Zaun]

If you are still having problems after the brushing. Buy a bottoming tap and carefully chase the threads, then you can use anti- seize on the plug and coat the threads after draining next season. Good luck

thanks! Do you happen to know what size tap I would need? Or are they different per year? It's a 97 sunsetter..I'm looking for my motor manual now. Also best place to buy the drain plugs for the exhaust riser i boogered one up trying to install.

3/4 npt correct?

Thanks for the help guys!(and possibly gals)

Edited April 28, 2014 by Zaun

[nutoz]

That looks like 1/2" brass pipe plug. Take the plug to hardware store and get a pipe bottoming tap to match .Pipe threads are different then bolt threads and pipe threads are tapered also.