vert prop shaft tube

[kfa4303]

Hello all. I have a 3 hp Gamefisher I just got up and running. Engine is great, but lower unit housing won't clamp down tight enough on to vert prop shaft tube no matter how hard I torque the bolt within the built in clamping mech in lower unit housing. Almost as if prop shaft is too smooth/oily for clamp to bite into, or something even though prop tube and clamp are nice and dry and clean? I can run motor easily, but vibrations will cause lower unit to wiggle and drop about an inch within the prop tube, but only an inch. As a result, the vert prop shaft falls out of cent clutch on underside of motor and propeller stops spinning :/ It was fine before I "fixed", lubed, tuned up and cleaned everything (of course), but I think that was just age and rust holding things in place. Everything else on motor is awesome. Can't wait to get on water. So close yet so very far. Many thanks for any and all advice or help or ideas.

 

[steelespike]

Re: vert prop shaft tube

I believe your motor is a Tanaka TOB 300.
First you would be better off posting in the other outboards section.
As far as the clamp it is probably stretched or cracked. Inspect it.
If it is cracked maybe it could be welded.If stretched you may be able to shim it with a thin piece of aluminum.You might be able to drill and tap a hole through the clamp and tube and thread a bolt into it to maintain the position.
the tube may have been crushed a little Its possible a tube expander like they use on exhaust pipes and I think on copper plumbing pipe to eliminate the need for a coupling.But that sounds way too involved to me.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: vert prop shaft tube

Thanks steelespikes. I thought of those things as well. I may end up making a set screw-type set up. Just a bit frustrating to get it up and running again only to have something annoying like this pop up. Ceste la vie. Going to take another look at it now. Thanks again for the advice!