How tight for the prop nut?

[excoelis]

Hi guys. Another quick question here... I have a Johnson 9.5 and I took the prop off to inspect and change the cotter pin etc. but I'm wodering how tight the prop nut should be? On the inside, the shear pin fits through the prop shaft, then seats into the inner housing of the prop itself. Then a plastic cone shaped prop nut is threaded on with the cotter pin through it.
Judging from when I took it off, It seemed to have previously been tightened finger tight, then backed off so the cotter pin would fit through the nut. Is this the correct method? What risks do over/under tightening impose?

Thanks for putting up with this newbie.

 

[ezeke]

Re: How tight for the prop nut?

The nose should be tightened to the point that there is no play in the prop or it will wear the drive pin down and eventually break it. It is only necessary to have the nose tight enough that there is no front to back motion, though.

I have sometimes found that the props are slightly short, and have used fiber washers to take up the slack. Obviously, if you tighten too much you won't be able to get the cotter pin into the hole in the prop shaft.

 

[excoelis]

Re: How tight for the prop nut?

Great, thanks again for the help ezeke. Anything special to be noted about installing cotter pin? The previous owner only had the one side of the cotter pin bent at 90 degree angle, maybe 1/8 of an inch bend. Does that sound about right?