On my Mercruiser #1R (1976 vintage), I have always had a flat plate instead of the standard trim/torque tab. I'm guessing this was to clear the prop at some point. In my quest to minimize the steering torque of hanging onto a small block V8 without power steerng, i want to install a regular tab. I can get it on there ok, but there is only 1/8" -3/16" clearance as the prop spins. The prop is 14 1/4" diaa aluminum. Is this enough clearance/ I'm not real comfy with it, esp. since aluminum flexes.<br /><br />Looks like my options are:<br /><br />1. enough clearance, go boating!<br />2. utilize my favorite grinding device to grind a bit of the tab away to get more clearance (how much?) I don't really need the tab as an anode -fresh water trailer boat<br />3. Give up and live with the torque steer.<br />4. ??<br /><br />This is the shortest tab I could locate outside the flat plate I have. I'm leaning toward option #2<br /><br />I have installed NFB steering, so I don't have to fight it as bad, but the pressure is still there in turns and I know it's still placing extra stress on teh steering system.<br /><br />Ar there different thrust washers for these drives? Seem to remember reading that to use newer props like I have, a new washer had to be installed to convert from the old style? Is my tab fitment problem the result of this?
