Removing connectors from our TMP gearbox

[pcatterall]

May have to bite the bullet and change the connectors soon.
Good news is that being connectors of the sacraficial type the gear box casing is not corroded. Bad news is that the connectors are getting thin and wearing away, if they break off on attempted removal then I guess that the engine and box will have to be lifted to get the threaded ends out.
I am considering this action...… make up a raw water connector U bend so that I can bypass the gear box and use the boat at low revs to get to the engineering pontoon !!

Apply lots of penetrating oil, make up some plugs to fit inside the connectors so that my 'big welly' mole grips wont crush them.

Any other suggestions please?

I wonder if the right sized tap could be used in situ to re tap the original thread or form a new thread ? any ideas on something like that?

( Yacht is in Spain so I want to sure to take the right tools out)
All advice appreciated

 

[Skylark]

Not sure that I fully understand what a sacrificial type connector is, Peter. However, if something breaks upon removal, I'd try and use an extractor, for example

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extractor-3-10mm-Damaged-Remover-Adjustable/dp/B078Q1QPR9

An overnight soak with penetrating oil is seldom a bad idea. Maybe very careful localised heat from either a hot air gun or, very, very carefully, with a gas torch.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks David,
The connector pipes which carry raw water in and out of the alloy gearbox are commonly of an alloy which will corrode rather than allowing the gear box itself to corrode the pipe diameter is around 3/4"
so an extractor may not be big enough or may damage the gear box threads.

 

[Piddy]

Many years ago I had the misfortune to damage a TMP gearbox. The oil was leaking into the water jacket and eventually, the box wouldn't change gear - Sorry to East Cowes marina in 1980 when we nearly went over a pontoon trying to stop.....

We spoke to Kevin at TMP and his advice was to keep the engine revs below 1800 and just bypass the water cooling. We ran half a season like this. This advice may depend on whether you have the reduction box or 1:1 as we had. I suspect a short trip to the engineering pontoon would be fine.

Subsequently, we spent a fortune on new gearbox internals but I have to say it was never as quiet even after 2 complete rebuilds by TMP.
I see they still have a web site so it might be worth asking them.