You say it is a 21", and the pics you show a 17" and one that can't be determined.
You can just mark the prop and hub with a Sharpie, then go an run it for a bit, then take the prop nut off and see if the mark has split.
If the prop is in good condition, just about any prop rebuilder will rehub...
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What pattern are you using when torqueing the Head Bolts?
When it comes to Lapping a Head, Close, isn't good enough. Curious, what grit did you use?
Recheck the Block where the Gaskets go, for trueness. You say the new Head fit snug, with not visible Gaps, well you can't see...
Wasn't part of the Plan, but fecal matter happens. I was fairly close to shore and the water wasn't more than 3 1/2 ft deep. I stood up and the boat was still capsized, I remember seeing the Prop spin a few more times then quit. I flipped boat back over and retrieved the Gas Tank, Anchor and...
If I could I would. For the past several years, it has been rain rain rain and more Rain. The River is very high, the Lakes are very high, and the Mosquito population, well there are more of those Blood Suckers than ever.
Holley's 500cfm 2300 2bbl is pretty much the Perfect size for 5 liter spinning 5000rpm. Holley likely makes an adapter for fitting it on a Rochester 2bbl mounting pad.
It had 3 benches, and a Triangular Wedge Seat at the Bow. We them till about the mid 90s, when I think my brother sold them. Used to use them on a Nasty Lake
In the late 80s the 20 and 25 hp engines were fitted with the Midsection and Gearcase that previously was used exclusively by the 35hp. It was a more Hydrodynamic shape, had larger gears and a Prop designed with blades that had more Rake and often some cupping.
We had a couple of Mirrocraft 14...
No, I was referring to its grip on the water
The Gear Housing shape and the Propeller designs for that engine leave a lot to be desired when it comes to performance. The Props have Blades that have no Rake, and no cupping.
If the revs are going up but no speed increase, then the Prop could be losing it's bite. That Engine has a gear case and prop lineage that leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to performance. Few, if any, of the props for it have any amount of Rake and/or Cupping, both of which help keep a...
Looking at the 1st pic, it looks like it is still too deep in the water.
As for the revs up without a linear increase in speed. Was it an actual increase in rpm, or just a lot more Carb Noise?
Merc doesn't offer a Gear Lube that is GL-5. So it is not usable, in the VP Outdrive. There is a Reason that Volvo specs a Synthetic GL-5, so that is what the Drive Requires.