Another Hole Shot plate question

[SkidMark]

I just got in a H/S plate from T-H for my manual 8" Z-Lock. Awesome people to work with btw. The plate has a lip on each side so the plate bolts on the inside. Pretty easy, drill 2 holes on each side according to the directions...bolt in with supplied bolts. Here is the problem....when ya do this, the bolt heads will stick out and will restrict the jackplate from alot of down adjustment. I can go an inch...but if I ever needed to go lower, I would haveta move the boat motor mounting position which is a pita.

The alum plate is about 3/4" thick...Would it weaken the plate if I got a countersink bit and drilled the holes countersink and got the appropriate SS screw head bolts to make it a smooth service on the outsides? I imagine the countersink would be around 1/4" deep. The bolt holes drilled are about 1/2" from the bottom btw.

I am trying to cover the bases here before I do anything I cannot undo.

[Donnieb]

I had one made for my jackplate and countersunk the hole and used tapered stainless screws and nuts. Screw heads fit flush with the side of the jackplate. Hope this helps.

[SkidMark]

thats what I was thinking....just wanna do it right the first time. Alot of water pressure I am sure on that plate at take off...did not know if the countersink would weaken the JP there too much.