I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

[you can try mine]

I have a 1971 165 mercruiser I was out on the water and it started to slip like when a propeller rubber goes bad. My propeller is a plastic propeller so that wasnt the problem. the symptoms are, I turn the propeller by hand , when the gear shift is in forward it feels like it is ratcheting and it is pretty easy to turn forward and harder to turn the opposit way. when the gear shift is in reverse it is easy to spin reverse and harder to spin forward still feels like it is ratcheting. the propeller shaft is turning with the propeller. Would it be my coupler or in my driveshaft housing?

 

[Don S]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

On a standard rotation drive (which you have) in forward, it will ratchet if you turn the prop clockwise, if you turn it counter clockwise it should lock. Just the opposite when in reverse. The ratcheting when going the wrong direction is the ramps on the dog clutch .
It's normal.
Now, if you can turn it the right way and still turn the drive and not the engine you have another problem. Could be a drive problem, coupler, or prop.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

Welcome aboard!

When the drive is in forward gear the prop should ratchet one way (clockwise) and lock in place the other way (counter clockwise). If it is "hard to turn" it may be slipping. It should lock in place. Try marking the prop at the hub and see if it is slipping.

 

[Don S]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

Are you have problems of some kind or just playing with the prop and noticed it doing that?

 

[you can try mine]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

Im having something slip when I try to go with any speed my prop isnt the problem for sure because it is a one piece plastic prop,splines are good and I can watch the propeller shaft turn with the prop. Since the ratcheting is normal would it be the coupler? I dont have any metal on my magnetic drain plugs in any of my two gear cases or water.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

First thing i would try a new prop, and you should always carry a spare on board.

But if your sure it's not the prop than it's the dog or coupler.

You overheating when the slip occurs?

Overheating means it's the coupler and the motor got to come out.

Dog and you have to take apart the drive, pick your poison.

Ether one it's no fun in your future.

 

[Don S]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

my prop isnt the problem for sure because it is a one piece plastic prop,splines are good and I can watch the propeller shaft turn with the prop.

The splines are not the problem in the prop, it's the rubber hub that attaches the splines to the prop. If it fails, it will work ok at low speeds but will slip with a load on the prop. Same the the coupler, only when it slips, you should smell rubber burning (no water to keep it cool) The overheat would only happen if all the splines were out of the coupler and not turnning the drive at all. And you have a prop that turns at idle ......... no overheat.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

He keeps saying he's got one of those new props with the plastick hub.. don't have no rubber on it.

My friend got one of them.

They designed to break the hub when you strike something with the prop.

 

[Don S]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

He keeps saying he's got one of those new props with the plastick hub.. don't have no rubber on it.

Actually, he has been saying he has a plastic propeller.

My propeller is a plastic propeller so that wasnt the problem.

Was just thinking about it, and there was a "Get Home" type plastic prop that wasn't supposed to be used over a certain rpm or speed as I recal. If he has one of those, that may be the problem.

That plastic hub you are referring to is the Flo Torque hubs, and they can go bad too. But you just put a spare one in and off you go.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

Maybe like i said let him put a spare prop on one that is known to be good.

I'm old fashioned don't like em' the new style props.

That plastick pos i don't like ether, just meant to go to 20 mph.

 

[you can try mine]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

it is a "pirana prop" with no rubber it is one piece without a rubber damper I have had the plastic {composit} props for over 10 years on my boats when you hit something your out the cost of a blade $20 not the cost of a new prop shaft. So Ill pull the coupler. The ratcheting is what was scary. none of my other boats did that

 

[ziggy]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

so did you overheat? if it didn't then everything is turning proper at least to the drive shaft in the lower which operates the sea water pump....

as to the ratcheting...

in

fwd. the prop will lock ccw. it will ratchet cw
in neu. the prop freewheels
in rev. the prop locks cw. it will ratchet ccw.
this is normal...
what'd worry me is that you say you can turn the prop both directions.... i'd find it hard to believe that you could be turning the engine over against compression with the prop...
i think try a different prop too. if that don't work. i'd think remove the drive for further inspections....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

You do know you have to pull the motor to get to the coupler.

 

[you can try mine]

Re: I can turn my propeller when drive is in gear

I didnt get hot because I was on my way in when it started to slip kept the rpm down so the drive wasnt slipping. Yes I know I need to pull the motor once I pull the engine cover it is real easy to get to every thing It will take a little time but it wont be real difficult.