Propeller stuck...

[DutchMerc]

I am working on my old '73 Mercury 402 and i ran into a problem. After a verry long sleep (>10 years), last summer i woke up this motor, changed the impellor, the ignition and the spark plugs and had a verry good time on the water. Not one problem during the whole summer. I know this motor is verry old, and i think it is a good idea to give it some special care during the winter. I thought it would be a good idea to clean the gear-case and change the oil. I also would like to try a new prop next summer.

Here is my problem: the old prop is stuck, and it doesn't come off. I tried to soak it in oil, tapped it with a hammer and a wooden block, but no results. I think it might not have been taken off for a verry long time. Are there some kind of pullers or special tools available to take the prop off? I cannot get a grip on the prop, and i am affraid the prop or even the shaft might get dammaged if i hit it to hard with my hammer...

 

[Steboe]

Re: Propeller stuck...

1. Soak in kerosine

2. Use motor with prop nut slightly loose

Ken

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Propeller stuck...

If you have a rubber-hubbed prop, you'll probably have to use the destructive "melt the hub" method with either a propane or mapp torch. Once the hub is heated sufficiently, the prop will shoot off of the hub, and then you can remove the hub from the propshaft.

Of course, you'll destroy the hub in the process. Try every possible method of removing the prop before resorting to this.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Propeller stuck...

For starters make sure that the nut is off. Clean the shaft with a steel brush paying special attention to the area where the propeller housing meets the shaft. Then soak the propeller shaft with penetrating oil and do this for a few days.
Then see if you can get a gear puller around it and crank it down tight.Now tap the gear puller bolt on the head,but not too hard because you can do damage to the gears.If that does not help,tighten the gear puller a bit more and apply some more penetrating oil and wait for tomorrow with the gear puller on the shaft.Now go through the same process again.
good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Propeller stuck...

Dutch, After soaking in penetrating oil (motor tilted up) for a while, put a 2X4 between gearcase and prop and try to pry the prop off. If that doesn't work, you will need to use a puller. if that fails, you will need cut the exterior part of the prop off, dig out the rubber hub and cut or crack the brass hub with a dremel or cold chistle.