Slow speed = bad performance

1988 Sea Ray Seville 4.3 Mercruiser runs great at mid to top end RPM's but has a strange clunking and almost feels like dragging at lower RPM's. Could this be the gimble bearing, or something else. Almost feels like it wants to change gears and drags. Strange. New to boating, so sorry if my descriptions are not exactly spot on.

Just replaced the prop today with a 19". Sea Trial tomorrow.

Should there be any "play" in the prop front to back? Tight around the hub, but you can pull it slightly 1/16 to 1/8 inch even with everything tightened.

Really appreciate this forum guys. New to the game, but I'll be a regular.

Re: Slow speed = bad performance

Longitudinal movement of the prop shaft is normal... The gimbal bearing would be noisy if it needed replacing. Can you post a video of the engine making those funny noises?...

Re: Slow speed = bad performance

One way you can tell gimbal brg noise is , sitting at the dock eng running , in nuetral , turning the steering wheel all the way stb an all the way port. The noise will get louder an as the drive is centered up the noise an roar kinda simmer down a little. There is a grease fitting on the stb side of the transom assembly right up against the boat itself. You cant miss it , it might have a small plastic cap over the actual grease fitting , but take ya a grease gun an give it about 7 or 8 good pumps. Im sure there are some good marine technicians in your area , have someone pull that drive an take a look at your universal joints an gimbal brg , they should be able spot a problem if its in this area. One more thing , make sure there is plenty of grease on the driveshaft splines. In 1988 the eng couplers they used didnt have grease fittings on them like the new style couplers have. Good luck to ya