Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

[aznewsh]

Took my 1977 24' searay out on lake powell this weekend, had been cruising fine for about 10 minutes when suddenly the rpm shot up without warning, I dropped down to idle and still had some drive, this lasted about 5 minutes when I lost all drive and had to be towed. forward/reverse neutral cable seems to be reaching the drive fine but the prop is definatly not getting any drive whether I select forward reverse or neutral - any ideas?<br /><br />Not sure if it is of any use, but here is a photo of the drive: http://oak.ucc.nau.edu/gn/drive.jpg

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

az, You probably spun the hub in your prop. Check out this link,<br /> http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51167 <br /> a prop shop can repair it for about $100.00 Good luck.

 

[aznewsh]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

Never actually thought of che3cking the prop, definately a simple thing to try first since I do have a spare - what be the most likely things if it was the drive itself where the problem lay and how bad is each case scenario?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

az, Worst case would be a wiped out engine coupler, requiring engine removal. As you describe it it sounds like the prop.

 

[aznewsh]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

One thing that does puzzle me is that I was in deep water at the time, more than 80 feet, I was only at cruising speed not flat out, why would it just spin the hub for no apparent reason?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

az, The hub(rubber bushing) is there to protect the outdrive in the event it hits something, however it also transfers all the torque to the prop it is rubber pressed into a metal prop and you can even buy a brand new prop that will spin the hub(sh**)happens.

 

[aznewsh]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

Thanks, well I will be going up to my slip tomorrow and will definately check that out first, that is much more apealing than pulling the boat out of the water and taking it for work doing on the drive - I hope you are right, I will keep you posted<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[aznewsh]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

Well, you made a great call there, that was exactly the problem, changed the prop, but on my old stainless spare and everything worked fine for about ten minutes when the same thing happened, but that prop was iffy at best, so they are both now in for new hubs. Hope it was just coincidence, can't think of anything that would cause the hub to spin except deteroriated rubber, I certainly didn't hit anything either time.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

That's a freaky coincidence, (hopefully a coincidence ), but for what it is worth, that's exactly the way I first found out that props had rubber hubs that occasionaly went bad. Same thing happended to me - didn't hit anything, just suddenly had no movement even though the motor was running!

 

[DJ]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

I don't think the prop is the culprit.<br /><br />One bad, OK. Two bad, now it's looking fishy.<br /><br />My vote goes for the coupler. They sometimes work, for a while, after they have cooled off.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

az, If (sh**) happens and both props spun the hubs its probably one for the books. Good luck

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

Sounds like the coupler honestly. When cold it's probably gripping well, then the engine heats up, transfers heat to the flywheel and coupler, and the rubber gets softer and starts to spin. I hope I'm wrong but I think I'm probably right..... good luck!!!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Volvo 280 - lost drive to prop

All the V8 VP couplers I've seen from the seventies are the spring loaded 'clutch plate' type, not rubber. I suppose its likely its been changed over the years.<br /><br />Just my 2c.<br /><br />Aldo