Should my propeller spin freely?

[Elilillibridge]

Hi all, I am new to this site and a new boat owner. I bought an 89 Bayliner with an 85 HP Force outboard. I just changed the water pump and I noticed that after putting everything back together the prop spins freely. Is this normal? I also found a small boot and round metal piece on the ground. Did this possibly fall off and should be on the shaft?

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Need a little more info. Is the prop spinning in neutral - It should. In forward, it is locked in one direction, and click in the other. In reverse, it locks in both directions.

I can't see the boot or piece that fell on the ground. Can you get a picture of them?

 

[Elilillibridge]

Yes the prop is in neutral. Ill try to upload a picture

 

[Elilillibridge]

Here is the pic of the parts

 

[Mo1]

Yeah it looks like the the seal and retainer that goes on the spline. Heres what it looks like on my Force 50 HP part #1 & #2

 

[Mo1]

Heres the lin of the picture of my force 50

www.marineengine.com/parts/force-outboard-parts/50-hp-1987/507x7c/gear-housing/

 

[Elilillibridge]

I couldn't see the image you posted.

 

[Mo1]

No Title

Here we go look for your engine at www.*****************

 

[Mo1]

Correction look for your engine at www.Iboats.com

 

[SkiDad]

it's should be on the shaft at top. But it's not a deal breaker if you want to wait till a more convenient time this summer. As for the prop that is normal as you usually have to put the drive in N to line up the shift pin with the shift rod. if you put it in F and spin the prop to the right it should lock. then try R and spin left it should lock. Then put in N again and it should be free.

 

[Elilillibridge]

ok, thank you all for the help

 

[flyingscott]

ok, thank you all for the help

Put the seal back on right now because for one it keeps water out of the splines where the power head and drive shaft meet preventing the two from rusting together. If you forget to put it on right away you will forget about it and find out later the hard way that you didn't put it back on. JMO

 

[Elilillibridge]

Yes, I agree. I am going to take it back off and put the seal back on. Just have to figure out what order they go on. It is the rubber boot and the metal ring.

 

[SkiDad]

the metal ring slides down 1st - the cup/grove is facing up - the flat side of the rubber piece slides down into the ring. the tapered end faces up