45/55HP prop

[noah4009]

I have a 1971 55HP Chrysler. Would the prop from a 1976 45HP chrysler fit my 1971 55HP? Are the splines the same?
Thanks

 

[arsenalpsu]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Noah,

I remember you saying you have a prop but it's a bit dinged up. I also have a 55hp and sent my prop in to http://www.propmd.com/ and got it back a few weeks ago. Looks brand new, only cost me 40 bucks and took about 2 weeks. They balance and correct the curvature of the blades and refinish the paint surface. Take a look at their site, might be worth it.

 

[noah4009]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Noah,

I remember you saying you have a prop but it's a bit dinged up. I also have a 55hp and sent my prop in to http://www.propmd.com/ and got it back a few weeks ago. Looks brand new, only cost me 40 bucks and took about 2 weeks. They balance and correct the curvature of the blades and refinish the paint surface. Take a look at their site, might be worth it.

Thanks for getting to me. I saw a prop for sale for $10 off a 45HP. Since I want to have an extra to take with me on the water. I was trying to see if this would fit my 55HP. I am making a kit of things to bring in case of break down or emergency. Like a few basic tools, Impeller, Fuel pump diaphragm, propeller, etc. You have a good memory, but yea I'm getting that repaired also.
Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Yeah! It will fit but the pitch MAY be too low for your 55--depending upon the size of your hull.

The 35, 45, and 55 all came with the same 10 3/8 diameter prop.

The 35 usually came with a 10 inch pitch, the 45 came with an 11 inch pitch and the 55 came with a 12 inch pitch. Standard. In those days, they sold the engines with props and if the pitch was incorrect, you bought another prop.

Don't quote me directly on pitch because that was a long time ago--all I really remember is that each larger engine had a 1 inch pitch higher prop.

So: if you buy the prop and the engine sounds like it is going a lot faster, the pitch is too little. Of course, if you have a tach, then you will definitely know if the engine is in the correct rpm range.

If you intend to only use it as a spare--for 10 bucks or even 25, go for it!

 

[noah4009]

Re: 45/55HP prop

HI Frank, My prop has 10X11 on it. So is this the wrong one I have on mine? I am a little confused. In a IM you mentioned about a prop. Now I am not sure if the one I have is even the correct one. How do I know by the tach? What should I see on the tach and at what speed?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 45/55HP prop

The 55 is rated as 55 HP at 5250rpm with an operating range at WOT of 5000-5500 RPM

Now, obviously, the larger the hull or the greater the burden, the more load will be put on the engine and the slower it will turn. So only for example: In the old days when tachs were not considered essential, if you had a 14 foot boat, running light, you would use the highest pitch and if you had a heavily loaded 16 footer, you would use the lowest pitch. --AS A GUESTIMATION.

So: If you have a tach or intend to buy one (which I highly recommend) You would prop the engine so that at wide open throttle it ran somewhere in the range of 5000-5500, preferably right at 5250-5500.

NOW: again strictly as an example, I had my 1967 55 on a 15 foot deep vee Glastron closed deck runabout. --A medium load for that engine. I ran a three blade Columbian 12 pitch bronze prop at somewhere around 5500 and a two blade Michigan 14 pitch bronze at about the same, but my engine was a strong runner. It ran at about 27 MPH. When I wanted to ski though, I needed to drop to the 11 pitch columbian stock aluminum. And at 160 pounds with two people in the boat it would still pull me out on slalom. I did semi-retire it though since as my son got older and more aggressive, it just didn't have the poop to pull him. There is only so much you can do with two cylinders.

SO: before you go buying props, except as I said if you are strictly buying as a spare--then at ten bucks, go for it, find out or estimate what your load would be--Light, Medium, or heavy, OR see what your current RPM are with the 11 pitch. Then you will know which way to go.

Of course, this assumes you have solved all engine problems and it is running well.

By the way: Although REALLY old school design, that's a great little engine. If you treat her right, she will run forever for you. I cruised mine up the full length of the Hudson river and into the St Laurence Seaway. Four days up , four back.

 

[noah4009]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Frank, you been a great help. I believe I have it running good now. I just have to get it on the water to test it now. One thing, I cannot read the data plate on the boat. I do know it is a 15ft Starcraft. The title says VVV under model. It has a triple V shape hull. The front is an open bow, (walk thru windshield to get to bow. Seats in bow, in front of windshield. Bow comes to point but very slightly angle to port and starboard sides. I can bearly read Gaston or glaston on the data plate. That is all I can make out. Can you tell me by my description what kind of starcraft this is? Is it a heavy type that needs a lower pitch. As you know it has on it a 10X11 prop.(10X11 is stamped on prop)
Thanks
PS: I do have a Tach on it

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Your title says Starcraft, but it sounds like the plate is identifying it as a GLASTRON. Stranger things have happened with govt and state agencies. It is a trihull. If it is indeed a GLASTRON the model number will be V156 and there will be a decal outside under the wings of the windshield. Somewhere it might also say "aqua-lift II"

Does it have a Starcraft decal on the port and starboard stern? The Glastron decal will be a plate in the shape of a squished "G" about 8-10 inches long.

Starcraft will have a plain side, Glastron will have a distintive crease in the side and the Glastron "Swoosh" in colored gelcoat. Not 100% certain about this but I also believe the Glastron had a curve in the deadrise from keel to chine at the transom. ALSO early Glastrons had a distinctive sculpted "notch" on each side of the transom. Starcraft had a straight transom.

At any rate, with your 55 running well, on a 15 foot tri-hull, either an 11 pitch or 12 pitch would be the starting point. Difficult to tell from afar, you need to use the tach. Once you get it on the water see what the existing 10 3/8 X 11 pitch prop turns in RPM. With just yourself in the boat I think it would be reasonable to expect 25 MPH--maybe a tad more if the engine is robust.

Remember to adjust the tilt pin to get the best running position. It is usually the hole that sets the cavitation/anti-ventilation plate parallel to the bottom.

 

[noah4009]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Your title says Starcraft, but it sounds like the plate is identifying it as a GLASTRON. Stranger things have happened with govt and state agencies. It is a trihull. If it is indeed a GLASTRON the model number will be V156 and there will be a decal outside under the wings of the windshield. Somewhere it might also say "aqua-lift II"

Does it have a Starcraft decal on the port and starboard stern? The Glastron decal will be a plate in the shape of a squished "G" about 8-10 inches long.

Starcraft will have a plain side, Glastron will have a distintive crease in the side and the Glastron "Swoosh" in colored gelcoat. Not 100% certain about this but I also believe the Glastron had a curve in the deadrise from keel to chine at the transom. ALSO early Glastrons had a distinctive sculpted "notch" on each side of the transom. Starcraft had a straight transom.

At any rate, with your 55 running well, on a 15 foot tri-hull, either an 11 pitch or 12 pitch would be the starting point. Difficult to tell from afar, you need to use the tach. Once you get it on the water see what the existing 10 3/8 X 11 pitch prop turns in RPM. With just yourself in the boat I think it would be reasonable to expect 25 MPH--maybe a tad more if the engine is robust.

Remember to adjust the tilt pin to get the best running position. It is usually the hole that sets the cavitation/anti-ventilation plate parallel to the bottom.

Title says, yr 1977, make vvv, body vs, wt-L-BHP 15'
Manufacturer, Chrysler Boat Corp Hull, FBGLSS, Prop OUTBRD
There is a plate on both sides, port and starboard, stern that says starcraft, 2"X16"
What I read on plate inside, I believe says Gostron, I also read a number that says 1400 under a few other lines of data that is not legible.
Top edge of transom is straight. With a metal edging.
Also the cavitation plate you mentioned, is that the wings the protrude on LU. Just above where the water is pulled in from the impeller

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Cavitation plate is the flat plate just above the prop.

Title says manufacturer- Chrysler boat. Are you sure the plate on the back does not say Lone Star? Chrysler bought Lone star boat manufacturers and if it is an early hull, it may still be badged Lone Star. But by 1977, it should have been badged Chrysler.

The 1400 may be the total load capacity.

I am trying to remember the model names for Chrysler boats but I just can't think of anthing like Goston. They made a Mustang. Go over to the Chrysler crew and go to the photo albums. They have a lot of boats there and you could compare.

The title just does not agree with the Starcraft plate on the back. I would suspect that the plate would be correct and the title incorrect though. Did you buy the boat private or through a dealer? You may have been given the paperwork to a different 15 footer.

At any rate, this is the prop forum, if you want to pursue it further, best to start a new thread on the general boats forum.

 

[noah4009]

Re: 45/55HP prop

Thank you Frank