Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

[ddakota]

bought a new 14 1/2 x 17 Turning Point Express 4 blade SS prop with #502 hub for my motor. everyone and all of the on line charts say this prop will fit my motor

got it today, tried to install..... it does not fit. The leading edge of the prop hits the metal shield ring inside the lower unit housing and if tightened down all the way, the prop will not spin.

the prop appears to be about 1/8 or 1/4" too large in diameter. the leading edge of the prop exhaust housing, which is machined down so it is supposed to slide into the lower unit housing is too d*** big.

what gives? am i missing something here?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

What is the diameter of your gear case? Is it 4-1/4 or 4-3/4?

I am not familiar with the Fast Strike, but I am wondering if it's like the Mercury XR-6 that uses the smaller(4-1/4) intermediate gear case.

All of the props listed in the prop section for a johnson 175 say "V-6 gear case" and use the ones for the larger 4-3/4" gear case; just like a Mercury V-6 would(except the XR-6).

 

[ddakota]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

Thanks for pointing that out., its a 1996 Johnson J175GLEDB model, its a V-6, the inside diameter of the gearcase looks like it is 4-1/4. Its difficult to get a precise measurement with the prop shaft in the middle, but no way is it 4-3/4" inside diameter.

I was going to buy a used prop from someone who had bought the wrong pitch, it was a Solas 14x17, it had a Yamaha hub which I swapped out to a Johnson hub . had the same issue, it was too big.

every prop manufacturer I researched show their props fitting "V-6 ......". I dont recall any that mention gearcase diameter size. Most walk you through a selection process based on your make, HP size and year model. Am I going to have walk into a dealer and pay full retail to get a new prop? Looks like I will have to go talk to one and find out what I dont know.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

I think you nailed it. Your engine is probably like the the Merc reduced diameter lower unit....they put a very low gear ratio on a small diameter prop (hub that is designed for the mid hp engines......70-125), for light fast boats that don't have hole shot problems.

Apparently there was a communications breakdown between you and the seller.

I bought a 4 3/4 Hustler for my 4 1/4, 90 hp gearbox Merc just to answer a curiousity I had. I had the same interference problem you mentioned and that pretty well sums up what's wrong. For my experiment I built a spacer to space the prop about 1/8" back from the housing. The diameter was 14" and barely cleared my housing. You probably are getting real close with your 14 1/4 dia. For normal use I'd send it back and get the right prop.

Mark

 

[ddakota]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

i have a spacer washer that was for another prop we ran on this motor when it was on a Skeeter bass boat. I got rid of the bass boat and put the motor on a 20' flats boat. trying to get it propped right now. I placed the spacer washer on the shaft, then the new thrust washer - the prop then fits, but there is a 1/8" gap between prop and gear housing. I think that would allow exhaust gas to bypass and create problems

now to see if I can return this thing.....

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

i have a spacer washer that was for another prop we ran on this motor when it was on a Skeeter bass boat. I got rid of the bass boat and put the motor on a 20' flats boat. trying to get it propped right now. I placed the spacer washer on the shaft, then the new thrust washer - the prop then fits, but there is a 1/8" gap between prop and gear housing. I think that would allow exhaust gas to bypass and create problems

now to see if I can return this thing.....

I didn't have a problem with mine in that area. As I recall I placed the thrust washer on first since it wedged onto the shaft and put the spacer between it and the prop. The prop is ported so you are going to have some blow by anyway, but my hole shot and slow speed operation just on plane was superb. I don't recall any slip actually. Course I had this prop as a large diameter low pitch unit to prove a handling characteristic of my boat.

Again, I agree to get the right prop.

Mark

 

[jestor68]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

Since a mid size Mercury(125) uses a 4.25" gear case and 15 splines; would one of those props fit on there? It's worth a try.

 

[ddakota]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

Thanks, I boxed up the Turning Point and its on its way back. The spacer washer was from a Cutter prop and did not fit into the hub of this Turning Point, which is why I put it first, then the thrust washer. It might have worked just fine, but I did not like that gap, just didnt look right.

I wonder, would the prop shaft diameter be the same on the Mercury? I guess if I could find the right diameter and pitch, I could put a hub for my motor in it. I went to my mechanic's shop with the props yesterday and they were stumped. I am in Houston and there are a couple of premium prop shops in the area, guess I am going to have to bite the bullet and pay their price to work this out.

I read a thread on a bass forum that indicated this model Fast Strike was made for bass boats so they could go fast, didnt need a lot of hole shot. I remember when we bought it, it was a special promotional motor, but dont remember all the details. Although its a 96, it only has 300 hrs, has a lot of life still in it, and has been a great motor. I now run in shallow water flats and need hole shot to jump up on plane in shallow water, as well as stay on plane at lower speeds. Lther people running this boat with a 175 on it are turning 14 to 14-1/2 x 17 for best results.

I will go talk to Baumann Props or Mike Hood, they should know what to do. I'm getting cheap as I mature, thought I could figure this out, buy on-line and save a few hundred dollars. When in doubt, read the instructions or go talk to an expert.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

I wonder, would the prop shaft diameter be the same on the Mercury?

I already answered that question for you. I put a 150 hp large gearbox prop on my 90 hp and ran some tests with it in the water with no problem once I installed a home made suitable spacer. The only reason for the spacer was to solve the problem you had and that was to keep the prop off the gear box casting. I was lucky in that it didn't have to be too long and I had enough threads left on the prop shaft to get the nut on and secured.

Mark

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

You don't have to go to a retailer, just get a prop with the smaller center barrel. They are available, believe me. I bought one once by accident.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

You don't have to go to a retailer, just get a prop with the smaller center barrel. They are available, believe me. I bought one once by accident.

Or get on here and go to the prop shopper section and when it asks for HP put in 75, 90, 100, 115, or 125. That'll get you the 4 1/4 tube and 13+ od rather than a 4 3/4 hub and a 14+ od.

Mark

 

[ddakota]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

We figured it out, when in doubt, talk to a pro. Mike Hood said he had run into something similar once. The gear case had an insert installed for running smaller hub props. It appeared to be metal and part of the gear case, but once we pried the prongs back with a screw driver, it popped out. It was a plastic housing that clipped in behind the vanes of the gear case. It was designed to funnel exhaust gases into the hub and prevent blow by. Once that was removed, standard V6 prop fits perfect.

Apparently Johnson made this adapter years ago just for the purpose of running smaller hub diameter, high pitch props. I dont remember ever installing it, it either came from the factory with it, or when we had it in the shop years ago while propping it out, they did.

I'll try to post a photo of it.....

 

[jestor68]

Re: Johnson 175 FastStrike Turning Point prop issue

Thanks for the feedback. We all learned something today. :joyous: