Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

[grininmonkey]

While I work on my piston issue, another question I have is related to the fitting of the prop. When I bought the boat, it came with two props one is a 15 pitch and I don't know what the other is (no markings). They both have shaft play and I worry that they may be the wrong props even though I can tell one has been used for a very long time.

Is it normal for (with the prop nut tightened as far as possible) the plastic spacer flare to be loose and able to move the prop back and forth on the shaft a good bit. I tried fitting both props and they fit the same with the spacer flare having a lot of loose play. The prop nut is tighten as far as possible and all washers/etc are in the proper place. I didn't measure it, but it seems to be close to about 1/4 inch of play or movement... meaning, if I push the prop & spacer flare against the thrust washer and then move it away from the thrust washer a quarter inch before it makes contact with the prop nut / washer. I can move the spacer flare away from the prop a bit, etc...

My previous experience with outboards used a prop with the flare as part of the prop and never had play/movement on the shaft, the prop was flush against thrust washer and with the nut tightened the prop would be secure against the thrust washer leaving no play. So having this two piece setup is new to me and not sure if I am suppose to be able to move the prop/spacer flare like I can?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

Owners manual says no fore aft play should be evident.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

Can you post a pic so we can identify what could be missing or a wrong part? As Foodfisher mentioned, there should be no play fore and aft or worse yet tangentially.

 

[grininmonkey]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

This is the way I got it... looking at the Clymer book I have, everything is there except the cone thingy which reminds me of the cone in front of a plane prop on a cesna. The nut and washer are press against the lands/groves part of the shaft and can not be tightened any further.... the spacer (thrust washer) between the prop and the gear housing on the shaft is there and looks new... so either the prop is the wrong length or the spacer is wrong ?

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

It sounds like you are missing the spacer behind the prop, if the locknut, space and cone spacer are already as tight and pushed against the splined land of the shaft. Here's a drawing of the LU

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

The spacer behind the prop is the thrust washer. My memory is trying to tell me there are different ones for different prop mfg's.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question



With non-stock props, sometime you need to get creative. IF the prop does not interfere with the housing when pushed all the way back on the thrust washer, simply add a washer or two with a (I think) 7/8 inch hole to the front. If the prop does interfere play around with washers on the thrust washer--just be certain they will cover the rim of the inside hub. Here is a ballistic prop that I needed to use a collar on the shaft in order to get exhaust snout clearance. You can also see I needed to get creative with the two blade bronze racing prop.

 

[grininmonkey]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

Ahhh.... I'm all for getting creative ;-)

The prop fits nice on the rim of the inside hub, no issue... so I'll look into adding washers to push the plastic flare further.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Force 125 (1987/88) Prop Question

Take it off and take another pic of the parts.