Play in prop

[dynamic]

So, I hit my first rock with my vintage 71 650...

Directly afterward the boat had a new vibration. Not much mind you but a slight vibration. We were only about 1/10th of a mile from the dock and got the boat there and out of the water without driving it any more. All 3 blades of the prop had a small chunk torn out of them, and the bottom unit was a bit scratched up. When I went to take the prop off, I noticed a bit of play if I put the motor in gear and turned the shaft. It would turn about a quarter turn of the shaft before it grabs. There is also a slight clank sound somewhere in the body of the unit between the lower unit and the top end. I am curious if I ruined the lower unit, and if a bit of play like this is acceptable? Just curious.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Play in prop

Might want to ask this in the prop forum.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Play in prop

Could be the prop hub.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Play in prop

What kind of play? There should be slight movement of the shaft fore and aft and it is spring loaded.....caused by the shifter spring on the shift clutch pushing against the clutch dog.

The clutchdog-F gear interface contains sawtoothed gears where turning ccw you have resistance, but cw it will click. This is normal and is a slip clutch.

Was your prop alum?

How big are the chunks missing?

How fast were you running when you hit this thing?

Mark

 

[dynamic]

Re: Play in prop

Yes, the clicking sound only happens when it is being turned clockwise, and from your prognosis I am pretty sure it is the clutch. Thanks, that makes me sleep a better!

As far as speed and damage. The prop was aluminum, the chunks are about the size of a quarter and I was going about 30mph. The motor has manual trim and was hanging so it could bounce if I hit something as well. The new prop is bolted on, anything you think I should keep an ear out or look out for - aside from more rocks.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Play in prop

There will be normal freeplay in the prop..probably fine..vibration is the prop now out of balance. Get it to a dealer, and it can be fixed cheap..

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Play in prop

With holes that size you should have vibration. Scaaty has the right idea. One attaboy for alum props on this one. Like I said before, if you live around rocks, you probably are better off with alum even though you can't get the performance you can get with SS.

Mark

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Play in prop

With holes that size you should have vibration. Scaaty has the right idea. One attaboy for alum props on this one. Like I said before, if you live around rocks, you probably are better off with alum even though you can't get the performance you can get with SS.

Mark