Prop replacement!

[wizarddeath]

So this just happened!

Proud to say I did it! Good thing I ordered everything Iboats recommended, as the one thrust washer(I think, it goes on after the prop, before the prop nut) that came with it, didn't fit.

Few questions,

I greased EVERYTHING, that was my understanding. Washer spacer(both sides), inside prop spines, on actual prop shaft, then again on the thrust washer, and the actual space where the prop nut screwed on.

After all the washers, my nut fits just until the end of the nut, meaning it has a good tight fit, but there is no spare shaft hanging out of the other side of the nut as on my old prop. Is this ok? I basically just tightened the nut as tight as I could before I started moving the whole motor around.

Is there anyway to test it without being in the water?

Also there was a little water that poured out when I removed the old prop, I guess in the "Lower unit" and some leaves that looks like they fell into the prop(they were still green, so new.) Is this ok? I did take the boat out last weekend.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Prop replacement!

Sounds like you did ok though I didn't see you mention the cotterpin. Make sure you have the pin inplace. If you don't have enough space on the shaft to install the pin than that prop is not a good fit for your motor. Don't worry about the water, thats normal.

red

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Prop replacement!

Did you grease the prop nut threads? Not sure how to interpret a few of your greasing comments. I suggest if you greased the prop threads, this is not a good idea...threads should be clean and dry.

As a general rule I just grease the splines only...nothing more. I've never greased a thrust washer but I suppose it should be harmless. Anywho...greasing splines is what most service manuals recommend. But I have absolutely no idea what year/make/model of motor you're talking about, or what kind of prop you installed.

Some motors do not have cotter pins and instead have bending/locking tabs. Based on one of your other posts I belive you have a Mercruiser Gen II? If yes, there is no cotter pin...but definitely some bending tabs to prevent the nut from slipping loose. Make sure these are engaged.

Knowing for sure what kind of motor and prop you're talking about is certainly critical. And you mention you have some sort of part that came with your kit it that didn't fit??? I guess in my mind that is cause for a bit of alarm. I'm having a little difficulty understanding some of what you are trying to explain. So a pic of your finished install would be worth 1000 words.

Keep in mind that removing the propeller, greasing the splines, and reinstalling the propeller is usually considered to be a normal annual maintenance item to prevent the propeller from seizing on the shaft. So make sure you do this each year.

tha only way to "test" a prop is to go for a ride...wide open throttle...full speed...trimmed out. At max speed make a mental note of your RPM. If that number is in the proper max RPM range for your motor, you picked the right prop. If your RPM is outside of that range, you picked the wrong prop.

 

[wizarddeath]

Re: Prop replacement!

Did you grease the prop nut threads? Not sure how to interpret a few of your greasing comments. I suggest if you greased the prop threads, this is not a good idea...threads should be clean and dry.

As a general rule I just grease the splines only...nothing more. I've never greased a thrust washer but I suppose it should be harmless. Anywho...greasing splines is what most service manuals recommend. But I have absolutely no idea what year/make/model of motor you're talking about, or what kind of prop you installed.

Some motors do not have cotter pins and instead have bending/locking tabs. Based on one of your other posts I belive you have a Mercruiser Gen II? If yes, there is no cotter pin...but definitely some bending tabs to prevent the nut from slipping loose. Make sure these are engaged.

Knowing for sure what kind of motor and prop you're talking about is certainly critical. And you mention you have some sort of part that came with your kit it that didn't fit??? I guess in my mind that is cause for a bit of alarm. I'm having a little difficulty understanding some of what you are trying to explain. So a pic of your finished install would be worth 1000 words.

Keep in mind that removing the propeller, greasing the splines, and reinstalling the propeller is usually considered to be a normal annual maintenance item to prevent the propeller from seizing on the shaft. So make sure you do this each year.

tha only way to "test" a prop is to go for a ride...wide open throttle...full speed...trimmed out. At max speed make a mental note of your RPM. If that number is in the proper max RPM range for your motor, you picked the right prop. If your RPM is outside of that range, you picked the wrong prop.

Gah, apparently my boating skills have killed my computer skills, just typed a huge reply and erased it. Short brief, it is a Alpha 1 4.3L, which I put in a Solas Amita #1513-140-21 Aluminum Boat Propeller. When I ordered the prop, Iboat told me to order a spacer, thrust washer, washer(2), and a prop nut. It looked like the piece I didn't use was a spare thrust washer which came with the prop as it wasn't in a OEM box like the other pieces. It didn't seem to fit my spines after the prop. However, the other I ordered fit snug into the spines, and snug to the prop. I did have the bending tabs, and those are engaged.

However, now I noticed, if I pull on the prop a little like I am trying to take it off, it does have a little "play" in it. Like it will come back just a hair. I wouldn't think this is right. Is my prop nut not tight enough? Its not even enough to show the prop shaft or anything, just like 1-2 cm if that much.... The second picture shows the blue marine grease, I put some extra to mark the spot where it seems to have play. When I pull just a bit, I can see this spot move. Not enough to show anything other then the black of the prop, but still moves some.http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/wizarddeath/IMG_20110625_192741.jpg

 

[250Gimp]

Re: Prop replacement!

I believe it is normal to have a very small amount of end play. You will have to check your service manual to confirm how much is too much, and check with a dail gauge.

Cheers

 

[wizarddeath]

Re: Prop replacement!

Ok makes sense. Was doing some more googling, and found that it does normally have rear and aft movement. Just can't seem to find out how much.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Prop replacement!

Glad you posted pics. You did something wrong that needs to be corrected.

This photo you posted:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/wizarddeath/IMG_20110625_192741.jpg
Shows that you do NOT have the propeller nut seated properly inside the locking washer.

That is why your nut is not seated far enough on the end of the prop shaft.

So loosen it, engage it inside the cavity/depression of the locking tab washer, then tighten it again. I believe 55ft pounds is proper torque for the nut on those Gen II Alphas. That locking tab washer should be held up against the back of the nut so that it will turn WITH the nut as you tighten it...don't just turn the nut down to the stationary locking tab or you end up with the incorrect result you show in your pic. Then activate the locking tabs after the pair are fully tightened. I will also add that it would be a good idea to simply replace that lock washer. By the book, Mercruiser says they are for one time usage....admittedly many of us use it more than once. But you may have crushed/misshapen it the way you have it torqued down right now.

If you bought a kit like this, they are usually generous enough to throw in a second lock washer, so you likely already have a spare lock washer...might be smart to bring into service now since you may have crushed the first one?
http://www.iboats.com/Propeller-Nut...5378744--**********.793513935--view_id.187465

Anywho...the way you have it torqued now there is potential for that nut to come off. The tabs are not stopping the nut from turning because the nut isn't in the cavity.

And no, you didn't need all that grease. Just grease the splines of the shaft and call it good next time. No need to grease all these washers and such. Harmelss, but messy. Yet I still say you should make sure your nut threads do not have ANY grease. So go ahead and back that nut and locking washer all the way, degrease the nut and shaft threads clean & dry...then reattach those two pieces properly. Nothing else needs to be removed.

Otherwise it appears the prop is seated properly to the gearcase and it fits fine.

A bit of pull/push end play is rather normal for Alpha prop shafts. It'll gently clunk back and forth as you pull the prop in & out. I believe 1 to 2 mm is normal. However you said you have 1 to 2 cm?!?! If that's true, that's way too much....internal drive problem. I sincerely hope you guestimated the movement distance wrong. If it is indeed moving in and out 1 to 2 cm, the Mercruiser forum will be more educated and specific about this topic than I am...

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Prop replacement!

I should take my own advice....if a picture is worth a 1000 words, a video is worth 10,000 words. Very nice tutorial I found that covers everything....it is an interchangeable hub video so probably more info than needed, but covers everything else you need to know too. On this video it is apparent that as he tightens the nut, notice how the locking washer turns with the nut...very important to avoid the situation you have. He even talks about the play you're asking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf0Q842zLng&feature=related

 

[3dees]

Re: Prop replacement!

am I missing something? looks like the thrust washer is on the wrong side of the prop. thrust washer first then the prop, correct?