1984 Mercruiser 140 Alpha One Gen 1

[Mtl-Diesel]

So I just finished the breakin period with my new outdrive (SE106). All went great. Was out yesterday and on my way back to the dock on plane running about 3200rpm, all of a sudden my tach starting erratically fluctuating up and down. 2500-3500rpm. At the same time the boat was slowing down. Pulled back on the throttle and was able to limp back to the dock running about 1500rpm but did not feel like we were going the speed we should have been. Conditions were windy and very rough (large waves) at the convergence of two rivers that flow fast.

Once up on the trailer I opened the doghouse and all looks and smells normal. Prop "looks" ok. It does look like the nut has spun over the locking ears which I thought was odd.

I was able to use reverse and forward to dock without any issue.

Any thoughts? I am praying it is not the coupler!! Just spent $2000 on the outdrive. It is a 1984 after all! ;-)

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Pull the prop, 'n check the prop's hub for signs of slippage,....

 

[Mtl-Diesel]

Ayuh,..... Pull the prop, 'n check the prop's hub for signs of slippage,....

I pulled it but to be honest, I'm not sure what I am looking for. Other than what looks like the lock down on the nut spinning around the nut, all looks "normal".

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Is it the old style pressed in hub with the thin rubber sleeve, or a new style composite plastic hub, like Merc's flow-torque hub,..??

If the old style, it's tough to tell, so try a different prop,.....
If it's the new style, the plastic piece should show signs of slippage,.....

 

[Mtl-Diesel]

Ayuh,..... Is it the old style pressed in hub with the thin rubber sleeve, or a new style composite plastic hub, like Merc's flow-torque hub,..??

If the old style, it's tough to tell, so try a different prop,.....
If it's the new style, the plastic piece should show signs of slippage,.....

It's the new style Flow-torque. I'll have another look when I get in. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary when examining last night. Ordered a new one of Amazon to be delivered today in case. What else do my symptoms sound like? If the coupler were to fail, would it not fail permanently?(alignment has been checked several times this summer alone. last done a week ago prior to new drive installation.)

 

[Tycer]

Check your points gap/dwell and cleanliness.

 

[Mtl-Diesel]

Check your points gap/dwell and cleanliness.

Hmmm. Interesting thought. I wish it was the answer! I’ve converted it to a Pertronix ignition system. No more points. Thanks for trying to help! Please keep the thoughts coming!

 

[Mtl-Diesel]

Ayuh,..... Is it the old style pressed in hub with the thin rubber sleeve, or a new style composite plastic hub, like Merc's flow-torque hub,..??

If the old style, it's tough to tell, so try a different prop,.....
If it's the new style, the plastic piece should show signs of slippage,.....

So I received the new Torq-flow hub kit today. I compared it with the one that was installed. I wouldn’t be ready to bet the farm on it slipping. However, the difference in what the teeth look like is night and day. Old one is near worn smooth. When I put my nose to it, it smells like melted plastic. Other thing I thought was strange is the hub was caked full of grease?!?! I greased the splines as recommended but there was WAY more than I had put on. Weird.

 

[Mtl-Diesel]

UPDATE:

Changed Ed the hub and went for test run tonight. It works! Ran like a top!

Hopefully it lasts!!!