What hub do I need for an Alpha One prop?

[TomCz]

1987 Ebbtide with a 3.0L Alpha One drive here. In 1992 Bought new and still looks an runs like new thanks to the kind advice of folks here. My question today concerns hub kits. I keep two props (14.5-19 aluminum) and need to send one out for repair every 4 or 5 years. Now I see that a $90 repair is now over $200, while a new Mercruiser Black Max 48-832830A45 prop can be had for about the same price, and used Black Max props are available on eBay for half that. My question is about hub kits. When I bought my spare prop in 1992 I just put it on and that was that. Now every prop seems to have a hub kit included or required. My research suggests that the Flo‑Torq II hub kit 835257K1 was introduced in the 1990s - which is why I never heard of them until now. Is this hub kit an improvement over whatever I have now? Can it or should be retrofitted into a pre 1990 prop? Can it be installed on any a Black Max prop from eBay that doesn't include a hub kit? Any comments would be appreciated! TIA!

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[Fun Times]

The main difference you’re looking for while searching online would be solid prop hub vs Flo‑Torq hub kit… your old one is most likely to be a solid hub which usually requires a press to R&R the hub and typically best for a prop shop to change it out for most boaters including some service marine shops and do it yourselfers.

The new Flo‑Torq hub kits are set up so anyone can change it out on the quick as it slides in the inner hub part of the prop mostly by strong hand… The two designs aren’t really interchangeable that I can recall do to inner prop design where the hub sits/holds in place.

 

[Chris1956]

Most new props are modular. That is the housing and blades will often fit sterndrives and outboard motors of different brands. Usually, the hubs are brand specific. i.e. I can swap props between my Mercury 135HPV6, my Johnny 150HPV6 and an Alpha I sterndrive, by using the correct hub, thrust washer and spacer.

So, pick out the housing you like, and get the hub recommended by the prop OEM for your Alpha 1 outdrive. Michigan Wheel and Quicksilver probably use the same hub for your sterndrive, but other propmakers like Solas and Turning Point likely have their own hubs.

The hub size on the prop tends to be standard as most V6 outboards and Sterndrives like your Alpha I have 4-3/4" gearcases, allowing the interchange of the props.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. If you buy a new black max (or any new merc prop), you will get a flo torq hub kit supplied with it.