Lower Unit drain Screw rounded off, HELP

This may be the wrong section to post it but I figured someone here may have had a similar problem. I was attempting to change the gear case oil in my lower unit on a 50 horse mercury and I was able to get off both the vent screws on the lower unit but the drain screw is rounded off bad and will no longer allow me to get a good grip, wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Would anyone recommend a screw extractor for this or would that cause damage? Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Drill it, pull it with a screw extractor, insert new screw. Should only take a few minutes if you have the right tools.

use a sharp punch at side of screw hit with hammer to left.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by monkeywrench

use a sharp punch at side of screw hit with hammer to left.

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X2 on this. Drilling needs to be your last alternative.

Be careful when you hit that screw. Those cast aluminum lower units can only take so much impact. BE CAREFUL!!! Shouldn't take that much to break it loose. Might try some penetrating oil on it before you whack it.

Couple of different way's have worked for me in the past.......
option 1... put a little two part epoxy on a 1/4 nut then clamp to screw face, after epoxy dries simply take a wrench and remove screw.

option 2...if you have a dremmel you can use a worn down grinder wheel to cut a new groove in the screw and then remove it.

I would try the hammer and chisel method described above it works allot of times on fasterners with damgaed heads. They make impact drivers to be hit with a hammer for removing stubborn or damaged fasteners.