Oil drain plug thread size on 5411

[marchem]

There's an oil drain plug on the 5411 engine in our Catalina 27. I haven't tried taking it out yet, but draining the oil via the plug seems to beat sucking it out of the dipstick tube, especially if I can replace the plug with a valve/tube arrangement.

The parts manual for the 5411 shows the plug as #299370. Toad crosses that to a 298660. But what I want to know is the thread size/type before pulling the plug. I'm suspicious it might be an M12, but that's only because Toad lists an M12 oil drain washer kit for the 5411.

I also found the parts on Messick site, but there's no technical info.

Has anyone figured this out and is willing to share the info?

Thanks, Rob

 

[Benny17441]

I think it's time to "pull the plug". The problem in trying to find the thread specs is that almost no one looks at that when changing the oil. They look at the wrench size they need but that is about it. Parts dealers use part numbers and don't look at thread size either. I think your idea is great, good luck.

 

[marchem]

I think it's time to "pull the plug". The problem in trying to find the thread specs is that almost no one looks at that when changing the oil. They look at the wrench size they need but that is about it. Parts dealers use part numbers and don't look at thread size either. I think your idea is great, good luck.

Thanks. My plan is to install a valve and tube to make changing oil real easy. There are sump drain kits on Toad Marine for the M12, 18, 25, 25, 35, etc., but nothing listed for the 5411. I'm pretty sure the plug is the same thread for most of these, at least the M20, 25XPB, 30, 35B, 40B, 50. But it would be good to know before pulling the plug.

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. Take the screw/bolt out and bring it into a good hardware store that has a quality assortment of nuts & bolts. We have a local hardware store that has a whole section of regular and stainless, metric and SAE bolts and nuts, truly awesome. Pull out some nuts and try the screw/bolt in them and you'll know for sure. BTW & FYI, metric threads come in two or three varieties: 1.25 and 1.50 pitch, somewhat like fine and coarse for SAE, and there actually may be yet a third just to confuse things. That's why you MUST run the screw through a nut to find the right one.

2. If you think the oil drain pan bolts are the same on those engines, one of our skippers wrote up doing just what you plan in a Mainsheet article a few years ago (or he was simply replacing his old hose). pm me and I'll see if I can find it if you're interested.

Good luck.