Sad end to a great trip

[stevenhickeys]

Gentlemen,

I was finishing a fabulous fishing/camping trip with my older sons in the ADK mountains. We were less than a mile from the ramp when I managed to find a boulder in 20' of water and thourghly tore up the prop on my 72' merc 650 (going about 10 mph). After I inspected the prop and the lower unit, I restarted the motor but the prop would not engage in forward or reverse. We paddled back to the ramp and I have not attempted to look at the lower unit until I get some advice.

I do not want to further damage the lower unit by messing around with it. Basically the motor runs but if you shift it forward or reverse, nothing happens. Is there anything I can do myself before I take it to the marina for service. Any advice would be most appreciated.

SH

 

[wired247]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

before I take it into the marina for service I'd look Ebay/Craigslist etc for a good used lower unit unless you prefer paying $1500 minimum for a $150 lower.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

WHen you shift into gear, can you hear/feel the motor shifting. It's possible that you just tore the rubber prop hub free of the prop and that the lower unit is just fine.

With the motor running, shift the motor into REV and then SHUT IT OFF and take the key out of the ignition. Grab the prop firmly by hand and try to turn it either direction. It should not turn in either direction. If it does, then the prop is shot.

 

[oldman570]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

As Moody states you probbly have a spun prop. Do the test as stated and be sure you are getting water flow from the tell tail before shuting the motor off. Then try spinning the prop. If no water comes from the tell tail let us know, as there may bew more that could be bad but not likely.
Oldman570

 

[stevenhickeys]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

Thank you wired 247 and Moody Blue for your responses.

I will put the motor in a tank of water and give it your test. I have a brand new prop I purchased for our trip just in case we damaged the old prop. I did not attempt to replace the prop so close to shore after I had my accident.

You can imagine, I will be so relieved if I just need to change out the prop and not the whole LU.

You guys are awesome!!

SH

 

[chum1]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

put it in reverse without it running and try turning prop, if there is some resistence its prob spun hub in prop, if it acts like it is in neutral there may be some other major issues, such as stripped out crank splines

 

[stevenhickeys]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

Well I did the test on the lower unit and it failed. The prop turns with the motor off in forward and reverse with a slight grinding noise. The prop shaft has a little wobble as an added bonus. I removed the prop and the spline slots seemed to be in good condition. The LU oil has a nice milk shake look.

I'm afraid this LU is SOL and I will want to replace it in the near future. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could find a reliable, inexpensive, used LU in my Rochester, NY area? The motor SN is 3401703 Merc 650 believe it is a 1972.

Any help is always most welcome.

I put my spare motor on my rig for now (16' Starcraft Super Sport) but it is just not the same as my beloved Merc:redface:

 

[chum1]

Re: Sad end to a great trip

before ordering any parts pull lower unit check splines that slide in the engine, lock the lower end shaft now turn prop and see if it will move, if it doesnt the female splines in crank are shot.