New prop and problems.

[VIP-Soto]

I have a 98 VIP Valiant with 4.3 Mercruiser.

My boat previously had a 23 pitch SS prop and I changed it last night with a 21 pitch Alum prop. I read the instructions of what looks like a realy basic install. I torqued it per instructions at 55lbs.

I took the boat out today and it ran horrible. It would only start with the trim half way up. WIth the trim all the way down, it would die in nuetral. Reverse would bog down. Can anyone make any sense of this? It would still run but the shifter didn't feel as smooth as before. It was hard to put in gear.

Could it be on too tight?

 

[Don S]

Re: New prop and problems.

You probably have the wrong or Missing thrust washer that goes on before the prop. Without it, the prop grinds away the housing.
If you tighten the prop down and can't spin it by hand when in neutral, you did something wrong

 

[VIP-Soto]

Re: New prop and problems.

I am able to spin the prop in nuetral. I did notice that it doesn't spin as freely as the previous one though.

 

[VIP-Soto]

Re: New prop and problems.

Ok guys. I took it back apart to re-check my work. I forgot to remove the original thrust washer. So therefore, I had 2 thrust washers on the shaft. Would that have given me the problem I was experiencing?

 

[VIP-Soto]

Re: New prop and problems.

Ok guys. I took it back apart to re-check my work. I forgot to remove the original thrust washer. So therefore, I had 2 thrust washers on the shaft. Would that have given me the problem I was experiencing?

???

 

[kawiski]

Re: New prop and problems.

Have you run your boat with just one thrust washer yet? That will answer your question.

BTW, how did you end up with 2 thrust washers? Did the new prop come with one? I bought a couple of new props in the past and the only extra part that came with was the locking tab...

 

[VIP-Soto]

Re: New prop and problems.

Have you run your boat with just one thrust washer yet? That will answer your question.

BTW, how did you end up with 2 thrust washers? Did the new prop come with one? I bought a couple of new props in the past and the only extra part that came with was the locking tab...

I have not run it yet. I will hopefully tomorrow. The hub kit came with a new thrust washer.

I just didn't undestand how having 2 washers would cause the boat to run so different.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: New prop and problems.

Sorry, neutral problem --- thought it was in gear :redface:

OFM