J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Engine zinc replacement question

I can't get the zinc plug out of the engine - 2GM salt water cooled (will not turn). I have soaked it with liquid wrench for a few days. I am using a 6 point socket for more gripping power. Now the wrench broke. Do I need both zincs or can I live with one.

I had the same problem with the stbd side zinc being stuck until I pulled the engine for a rebuild. I used a 1/2" breaker bar with a 4 foot pipe and got the plug out. I replaced the threaded plug with a new one. That was in 2007 on a 1981 engine.

I think you can live with one for now, just make sure you keep the aft zinc fresh.

I agree with bill, find yourself some more mechanical advantage.

Blitz's previous owner's mechanic had problems with this too. I tried penetrating oil, modest heat and a breaker bar with pipe, to no avail. A cheap air powered 1/2" impact wrench didn't work, but a 1/2" NitroCat impact wrench set up as low as possible took it right out.

Another option might be to replace the 1/4" NPT plug just forward and below the starter with a shortned Martyr CME0 Z pencil zinc.

Thanks for all the inputs. I used a 1/2 inch breaker bar and the 2 foot pipe that came with the boat for zinc removal. The plug did not move but, the square end that fits into the socket broke off. It was a 3/8 inch socket. I never had to use this before to remove the zinc. A mechanic friend is coming over next week and we will work on it. When I removed the rear zinc, I noticed a lot of white crud inside the engine and on the old zinc. I think that the engine needs to be descaled. There is always more work to do.