Alpha Drive AN Fitting For Vent Plug
 

Hello. It has been a while since I visited and I have a question. I have a 1st Gen Alpha 1 drive, and woudl like to add a gear lube "monitor", but would like to make a nicer hose pass through the hull by using an Aeroquip "bulkhead" fitting. OK, no problems here, but what fitting should be used for the 3/8"-16 vent plug on the upper drive housing? What does Merc supply with the kit they sell? Looks like just straight 3/8"-16 flare, possibly you are suppose to seal it with teflon tape. Anyway, and help woudl be appreciated. Maybe just get an adapter with pipe threads (tapered) tape it up and crank it in there? It's not my style, so what have others done? Thanks. I know get a Bravo and at least a 496, but it's a built 350 in a 17' Formula, so it honks along pretty good, just not in rough water, plus it fits in the garage! Thanks again.

Re: Alpha Drive AN Fitting For Vent Plug
 

If the plug is really a 3/8-16 ((it has been a while since I saw one but thats big). you can get a fitting Anyhow , you can get a straight thread fitting that has a 3/8 thread with an O-ring seal. Do not even think about trying a tapered threads fitting in there, you will go back wards and make a leak. Check out http://www.parker.com/Products/EPD/.

Re: Alpha Drive AN Fitting For Vent Plug
 

1/4NPT measures close to 3/8"

Blue loctite also works well for a thread sealer on tapered threads.