72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

[oldrudedude]

1972 Johnson 100hp (100ESL72R)

This is a hydro-electric shift with through-prop exhaust. This is a new-to-me motor. I have not had it in the water yet but have had it running on muffs. The LU shifts well but does make a noticable clunk when going into reverse from neutral. The clunk is not there when shifting from neutral to forward. There is NO noticable vibration at the prop

I noticed today that the prop is a little loose on the shaft. It wigglles slightly from side to side when moved by hand. The shaft feels solid in the gearcase. The castle nut and cotter pin appear intact. The prop does not spin on the shaft when turned by hand . It just wiggles as if the castle nut is not tight enough.

Several weeks ago, when I changed "C" fluid on the LU, the old fluid was milky. I suspected this was due to vent and drain plugs not being sealed properly (there was fluid leaking from those plugs). I am now wondering if the loose castle nut is allowing water to leak in past the propeller shaft seals.

Question #1: Should I just tighten the castle nut on the propeller shaft and hope for the best or should I pull the prop to investigate further.

Question #2: What is the torque for that castle nut?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

The nut should be snuged up and just tighten enough to get the cotter pin in the hole.
The splines in the hub may be worn due to running it loose. Your thrust washer also may be worn. I added an extra washer between the nut and the platic washer to take up the slack on mine as it was loose also. Even with a new nut and plastic washer. Im sure my thrust washer needs replaced, but it is fine for now.
On mine it have 2 different props and 2 different washers of different thickness i use to adjust the tightness.

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

Turns out the castle nut was loose. Once the cotter pin was removed, I was able to turn the nut one notch by hand. The prop does not move on the shaft now. Can I turn it another notch, with a socket, to tighten it up. Or do I run the risk of crushing something or making the bearings too tight (like in an old automotive front wheel bearing)?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

If the prop is not moving now, you should be fine.



???

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

Thanks for that reply. What kind of fuel do you use to power the boat in your avatar, Jay?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

What kind of fuel do you use to power the boat in your avatar, Jay?

Its a 60's hippie boat - it runs on "free love!"


(Its actually a boat that was constructed for an Australian musican for a video)



???

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

I expected you to say "High Octane Delta Blues". I am amazed it is a real boat. I thought it was photoshopped. I wonder how easy it gets onto plain. I have about 13 guitar myself right now. Most are old junkers I pick up for nothing. I fix them a little to make them playable, then give them away to people who want to learn to play. I would love to get my hands on that one though. It would be a keeper. Must be hard to get strings for it. I bet it's got good bass range though.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

It does plane - sort of. I'm not sure it has ever been pushed very fast, but the bow does rise up out of the water a bit. As I understand it, this was made possible by placing a couple of wedges under the bottom, at the leading edge of the "boat."

The artist is Josh Pyke and the song that the video was done for, is called "Make You Happy." The boat is referred to as the "SS Maton Guitar Boat," because it is a replica of a Maton Acoustic guitar. Maton is kind of the Australian Martin, with the exception that they make electrics too. If you are familiar with the artist Tommy Emmanuel, this is what he plays.

BTW, you actually could have bought it, because it was sold on EBay after the video was done. I have no idea what it sold for, but someone probably paid a bunch just to have a boat unlike anyone else's.



???

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: 72 Johnson 100hp loose prop concern

And just when you've thought you've seen everything......