What tool for square plug that holds anode

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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My engine anodes sit on a square bolt. The head is square and 9/16". I used a socket 9/16" with the ridges in it and it fit right in and both plugs came out with no issues on one motor. On the other motor nothing fits. It appears to be the same square shape with four sides. But 9/16 is too small. Metric doesn't work. I can't find a socket that fits it. Do they make square sockets or so I need a monkey wrench?

Motor is Volvo D4

Thanks.
 
10 point sockets fit square. Probably metric on Volvo
 
I had a square head plug for my bilge drain & it was recessed no less. Had brother-in-law (machinist) alter the head to a hex head bolt. Now std. socket fits the bill.

BOB J
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Or just use a good crescent wrench

Click to expand...


That's what I'd go with. Probably the only proper use for an adjustable bolt head rounding tool. Would have to be REAL loose to round off a square head!
 
I'd probably just use a crescent wrench too though I'd think a 6 point(hex) 9/16" or 15 mm socket or even 5/8 might work.

FWIW -There are a few tools for square heads, but they shouldn't be necessary.

http://www.amazon.com/Martin-267H-Opening-Overall-Industrial/dp/B0002FS69A

http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/sockets-for-square-head-bolts.html

Currentsea- Did you measure the difficult bolt head for best idea of what you really need?
http://infinityline.net/conversion.htm
I wouldn't use a pipe wrench on a brass anode head though unless the brass was going to be tossed or better tools were not available and the part really needed to be addressed right away.
 
I tried 14mm metric, too small, 9/16, too small.
Both of those sockets fit fine on the other motor, so it's very odd.

I will pick up a decent crescent wrench as I didn't have one in my toolbox.

It also appears to be in there pretty strong. Hoping they didn't use threadlocker or something on it. I had the fresh and raw water sides rebuilt about 2 years ago and I didn't do the zincs last spring since it was rebuilt in the fall the year before.
 
Try a 15mm socket.
If these are pencil zincs, I know my Crusader engines have the recommendation to check monthly though they really only need changing at 1/2 size about 2x / season. Checking them more often is better than replacing a Volvo H/Ex. .
When you get yours out and go to reinstall , be careful to not over-tighten that tapered thread as some of the female fittings can crack or separate from the H/Ex or other cooler,... & that gets very spendy. Your fittings in the D4 may be a lot more robust though.
 
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