Prop Too Tight?

[Don S]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

If the thrust washer was the problem, the prop would hit the housing, and you wouldn't be able to turn the prop when it was tightened down.
If the prop wouldn't turn, they you couldn't tell if it was shifting or not.
The nut and thrust washer are tightening against each other and have absolutely nothing to do with how the drive shifts

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Don, the inside of the washer was worn where it should stop on the tapered part of the shaft, and when tightening down, it was resting against the inside seal on the bearing carrier, allowing enough rotation for the prop to spin, but when tightening the nut, still managed to pull the shaft out so far that it interfered with the gear alignment.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

you have some serious problems with that lower unit..... if pulling the shaft kept it from going in gear what do you think putting it in reverse would do? You may have found A problem but not THE problem.... the CHEAPEST fix is to source a used lower unit

 

[JustJason]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

if pulling the shaft kept it from going in gear what do you think putting it in reverse would do? You may have found A problem but not THE problem....

Agree... I'd pull the bearing carrier back out and make sure all the bearings are in it.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Ok thanks for the advice guys, you might just save me from making a very costly mistake. I'm going to take it in to the local marina and have them check it out for me, I do not have all the tools to perform proper diagnostics on the drive. I'm only set up for working cars, being a car mechanic. They quoted me 100 dollars to take it apart and give me advice on it, I think that's pretty reasonable, and likely my best bet before I ruin anything else.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

if you do some shopping on craigslist you should be able to fine a good lower unit for 2-4 hundred

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Well, just got back from the marina, they looked at my lower unit, beat the bearing retainer in another 1/8th of an inch, re-tightened the retainer ring, clamped it back on, put a new thrust washer and hub, installed prop for me, and we tested it out in the water, works like a charm. Forward/reverse works properly. They were the same ones who had already opened it in the first place for the previous owner, and knew that it was fine inside, they said it should last me a while without needing any work if I take care of it.

60 dollars for peace of mind and preventing me from completely destroying everything seems like a pretty good investment to me. I hope this info helps somebody else who might have the same problem, cheers to the kind helpful boat mechanics out there.

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

they looked at my lower unit, beat the bearing retainer in another 1/8th of an inch,

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

So the previous owner had no problems with his outdrive and paid a shop to take it apart "for inspection" Then when they find no problems with it they throw the parts in a box instead of putting it together and he sells it....


Doesn't add up my friend.......

Beat the carrier in when 200 ft lb of torque couldn't set it? um, YIKES!

Go ahead and start shopping for a lower unit..... Maybe it will hold up but I sure wouldn't pass up a good deal on a spare if I were you.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

The upper unit gears stripped. They took the lower apart to see if there was any damage, when they quoted him 1500 dollars to rebuild the upper unit, he said no, bought a new boat, and gave me the boat with parts. They never bothered to put it back together.

And, around here in Ottawa, there's no such thing as a good deal on a lower unit used, cheapest i've found was 1200 dollars.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

well that makes a bit more sense... hopefully you will be good to go.. good luck.... 1200 yikes.... hmmm I have 3 extras... maybe I need to ship em to canada..lol

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

I know this question is off topic but what is that continuity washer shown in the first picture?

 

[achris]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Do you mean between the prop and the thrust hub? It's a continuity washer...

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

I know this question is off topic but what is that continuity washer shown in the first picture?

It is supposed to aid in preventing electrolysis (sp?), but I have never had one, or even seen one in use!

I'd be curious if anyone here has one on their prop shaft...?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

And, around here in Ottawa, there's no such thing as a good deal on a lower unit used, cheapest i've found was 1200 dollars.

brand new one for $750
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...IT-GENUINE-MERCURY-NOT-SEI-W0QQAdIdZ199682567

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Wow, thanks Howard! That is a good deal. Worth the 12 hour drive from my house. I'm going to run my boat for half an hour in the water tomorrow, and then change the lower unit oil to see how it is. If it's good and there's no milkshake or metal in it, I'll run it for the rest of the day, and then check to see how the lower is making out. If it seems to be giving me any problems, I'll go pick that up. Unfortunately, after marina fees for storage for the year, a motor rebuild, new upper unit, trailer work, gimbals, etc. the boat budget is running out of money real quick. I'd like to try and save what I've got for now if I can, and I'll likely end up buying an SEI unit next year.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Prop Too Tight?

Worth the 12 hour drive from my house.

In first gear maybe. The guy is near Campbellford if you know where that is and he has lots of drives and parts. He has a kid there run stuff to Ottawa for cheap.

Brown's Marina is another local spot (on the Rideau somewhere) that will have fair prices

SEI is good idea too. Way cheaper than the $1200 you were talking.

complete Gen I drive to ON from SEI about $1650 with ship and taxes right now with the dollar as it is.