Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

[brewern]

During our most recent camping trip, we accidently dinged our prop on the launch ramp and messed up one of the blades.
So, we're in the market for another one. I have a good old 1980 Rinkerbuilt bow runner with a GM inline 4 cylinder, 2.5L, 140HP and a sterdrive. Check my first posting for pics if neeeded.

I looked at the prop (aluminum 3 blade) and see the following numbers: 48 78122 A40L 21P.
From what I've found, 48-78122 is the part number, and 21P means a pitch of 21. I'm not sure about the A40L. I think the diameter is 13.5 or 13.75.

Can anyone tell me where to pick one of these up for a good price? No need to buy a new one.
Or, if anyone here has one to sell, shoot me a price.

Thanks as always,
Neil

 

[jestor68]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

Have you checked iboats prop section? Their prices are better than most.

For example, the Solas Amita aluminum prop is only $95.36. That's where I got mine.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

ebay has page after page of props. Personally for a $100 I would go with new.
Your sure to get the latest technology and a prop that hasn't been repaired or modified.
Solas props have a good reputation.
It also it may be cost effective to have your prop repaired.Though if your prop dates back to 1980 it may be time to give it up.

 

[brewern]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

Thanks to you both, and forgive my newb status, but I'm not sure how to pick out the right prop based on the information I have. I confident it's a 21 pitch, but how do I know for sure the diameter, and that it will fit my lower unit?

Thanks!

 

[brewern]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

Also, where should I sell my damaged prop? I assume if it's fixable, it's worth something to someone....

 

[brewern]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

ebay has page after page of props. Personally for a $100 I would go with new.
Your sure to get the latest technology and a prop that hasn't been repaired or modified.
Solas props have a good reputation.
It also it may be cost effective to have your prop repaired.Though if your prop dates back to 1980 it may be time to give it up.

I found a match on eBay for a starting bid of .99 with no reserve price. Let's hope no one bids on it and I'll get it for around $21!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290734602288?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

Don't know if you know how ebay works. but if you really bid 99 cents you will likely lose the prop.
Usually an item will coast along without much action. In the last few minutes there may be a flurry of bids.
If starting bid is 99 and you bid say $20 it will remain at 99 until someone bids. your bid will continue to go up
as people bid until your $20 is used up.Sometimes you can bid in the last few seconds and ambush someone hoping for a lower conclusion. I say bid the max your willing to pay and walk away no one can ambush you if your max bid is up there.
Most sellers are honest and will take returns but you can bet the seller probably hasn't water tested the prop.
You don't know if the hub may have failed or if it may have been repaired poorly at some point in its life
It may work but be sub par.I have bought used for older outboards that I wasn't likely to find new for.
So far so good but its a gamble even if you can return it.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

I wouldn't put too much hope on getting that prop cheap since it's the middle of summer. I'm pretty darn cheap and wouldn't pay over $50 total for that prop (not worth the risk of paying more),,, but I'm sure there are a lot of others who will run the price up on it. I have several props for my boat that I picked up on Ebay, all the deals were in the winter.

If I needed a prop this time of year, I'd get a Solas from here at Iboats.

For your old prop, it's not worth anything over scrap price as it would cost as much to repair it as it would cost to replace it. Depending on how banged up it is, it might make a good backup prop AKA: limp back to the dock prop.

 

[brewern]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

I wouldn't put too much hope on getting that prop cheap since it's the middle of summer. I'm pretty darn cheap and wouldn't pay over $50 total for that prop (not worth the risk of paying more),,, but I'm sure there are a lot of others who will run the price up on it. I have several props for my boat that I picked up on Ebay, all the deals were in the winter.

If I needed a prop this time of year, I'd get a Solas from here at Iboats.

For your old prop, it's not worth anything over scrap price as it would cost as much to repair it as it would cost to replace it. Depending on how banged up it is, it might make a good backup prop AKA: limp back to the dock prop.

Steelspike, yeah, I know how it works, and my max bid is much more than the .99 cents. We'll see.

fishrdan, thanks for the advice, I'll probably go ahead and buy new unless I get this one for real cheap. And even then, I'll sork on getting a new prop.

Here's some pics of my current prop. Is it ok to continue to use for a while or should I replace it immediately?



Thanks!

 

[brewern]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

BTW jestor68, I did find a Solas for $98. Thanks for the advice and now I know how and where to look!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Need a prop for a Mercruiser 3.0

I wouldn't run that prop, could cause damage to the lower unit bearings. (good for a limp home prop though, in case you really mess up another prop, loose an entire blade.)