early model (70's possibly) Clinton 7.5 prop spinning freely

[dgjones]

I just bought an older clinton outboard 7.5 air cooled motor for 50 bucks. The one cylinder motor does seem to run ok, but I noticed that the prop is spinning freely. The motor does not have forward, nuetral, reverse. Its operates similar to a lawn mower engine with the go fast/slow lever on the motor itself. I don't think it is good that the prop spins freely. Any thoughts??

Thanks

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: early model (70's possibly) Clinton 7.5 prop spinning freely

I just bought an older clinton outboard 7.5 air cooled motor for 50 bucks. The one cylinder motor does seem to run ok, but I noticed that the prop is spinning freely. The motor does not have forward, nuetral, reverse. Its operates similar to a lawn mower engine with the go fast/slow lever on the motor itself. I don't think it is good that the prop spins freely. Any thoughts?

That's the way almost all worked until the mid 20th century when slowly shifts became available. First as F & N and finally F N R. Many small, inexpensive motors such as the Clinton & Eska continued the tradition. Once you're used to using the throttle lever it's easy to spin a slow idling motor 180 degrees for reverse. Works just fine unless one is mechanically 'challenged'.

 

[dgjones]

Re: early model (70's possibly) Clinton 7.5 prop spinning freely

So its normal that the prop spins freely in either direction when motor is not running?

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: early model (70's possibly) Clinton 7.5 prop spinning freely

sounds like it could be your shear pin. Check it out