Clutch?

[hdodt]

I have a Sears Ted Williams 1973 9.9 hp motor. I was out running it one day and got into some shallow water with soft mud. I've had the power head off and it seemed to be directly connected to the drive shaft, but when I hit the soft mud it bogged down then it was like it was thrown into neutral, and the engine reved up and it lost its push. Is there a clutch of some sort in this motor. If so how does it work and where is it? Any help would be great. Thanks,

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Clutch?

Take off the prop and look for a shear pin or a rubber hub.
Either of these could be bad, and a good place to start.
Then check the shafts and work your way up.

 

[hdodt]

Re: Clutch?

I should have stated that once I reduced the throtle and got outta the mud it went back to working normal. It was almost like something just let go for a moment then grabbed again. The lower unit is all steel, and the shear pin is engaged with the brass hub on the back of the prop.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Clutch?

Many props have a rubber hub that is supposed to give and save the drive line. Or the mud could have caused ventilation(cavitation) causing the motor to rev.