This is one item that we always prefer to have installed at the Beta factory.
Make sure that the freshwater/coolant system is drained down to below the top of the head. Otherwise freshwater/coolant will pour out when the plug is removed.
The 5 mm allen plug that you are trying to remove from the cylinder head is notoriously hard to get out.
You cannot use a conventional allen wrench tool. I would suggest a 5mm allen wrench tip socket on a ratchet type wrench. This will allow you to reach down to the plug from up over top of the engine.
Provided the allen tip socket is of good quality, the chances you will break the tool are slight. The possibility that you will strip out the 5 mm plug are about 95-99%.
These plugs are installed at the Kubota factory with some sort of super thread sealer. It is very rare that the plug can be removed with the allen wrench tool. We find that the plug will strip most of the time.
If this happens, your only recourse is to drill out the plug and remove it with an easy-out tool. We prefer to use the 1/4" square type easy-out and a 7/32" bit.
1) Using a very sharp bit and a variable speed drill, slowly drill straight down through the plug until you just start to break through into the water jacket.
2) Try to remove as many chips a possible as you drill down.
3) Insert the easy-out and tap lightly with a small hammer to engage the four corners.
4) Turn the easy-out counter clockwise using a 1/4" wrench.
This usually works quite well in removing the stripped plug.
Once the plug is removed, install the fitting with a small amount of silicone on the threads and snug it lightly.
Do not forget to refill the fresh water system.
I wish I could give you an easier method. This is the way we have to do it in the shop.
I hope this helps you with your project. If you would like to speak with someone before you proceed, do not hesitate to call us.
Best regards,
Farron Peffer
-- Edited by Farron Peffer on Friday 16th of July 2010 03:12:34 PM
In a nutshell that is what happened...it was "beyond obvious" how "snug" the allan key was in the block...and based on this (and its eventual stripping) I had a very bad taste in my mouth about drilling into my new engine ...unacceptable in my view - especially that the "end goal" was to install a simple hose barb!
The Easy out is an oxymoron...there is nothing easy about it....over 8hrs in time when I include the commute to a specialized tool store for the "square easy out"// the round reverse spiral type are junk.
Ofcourse I had some other issues come up - the drill bit broke and fell into the water jacket..then the 1st (round) easy out also broke "within the allanbolt"...what a day...
The only way to get it out was with a special bit on my dremel tool which grinded it down and that easy out piece also fell into the engine...then the big square type easy out was installed ..and it was unbelievably difficult to remove...but it did come out....
Bring on the magnet (super big one) and a screwdriver and the screwdriver bit and easy out piece came right out no problem on the 1st try!! then a few more insertions to remove some filings until it came out clean..flush the system hook the fittings and install hoses and addnew antifreeze....test for 1hr at the dock bleed the air out,...seems good so far...a biggeropen water test monday! (+ the hours to remove and reinstall the kitchen as the allan head is right under the outer wall of the kitchen....
Just based on this I will have to let "all the curious people" who want to know about and see my Beta20 in the boat be aware of this situation...I had ordered the engine with the water heating but there was an oversite and the fittings came later...was also advised to use first (without the ho****er) and connect the system later after the engine had some hours onit... all good advice but I think the factory needs to re-visit how they do this particular bolt / plug and make improvements... I will know more tomorrow...and am glad its all worked out ....
Just an update to those interested...Our engine now has about 60hrs on it...Changed both tranny and engine oil at 29hrs...very easy and the engine oil pump worked great ...
The hot water system / overflow tank in the port locker all work great!!! A bus heater was plumbed into the system too so the cabin gets some heat when turned on while motoring...It all works great!!
This engine purrs and you can "feel" the reliablitiy of it...I am very satisfied. We just did a 17day trip and motored for large pieces amongst the islands / passes It all worked great cruises the boat at 6kn around 24-27oo rpm max speed is about 7.2kn at about 3400rpm...maxes the sytstem out!
Pics of my install are posted on the yahoo Catalina30 group....under pictures alphabetical listings titled "Beta20 Album" (2 albums)
Thank you to Stanley for his advice when drillling out the allan plug during the hot water install / connection...that is the only thing I strongly recommend getting installed prior to receiving an engine if you order this product...I went with panel C and the larger alternator....and I would recommend the Beta 20 for a Catalina30 any day!
Kubota may have responded to complaints about the Allen plug being hard to remove
In our 2014 installation, I had no trouble at all with it
BTW in our engine, a normal Allen key was usable
