Vortex Prop Problems

[This_lil_fishy]

Just got a new Vortex prop (my old stock prop was pretty much destroy) and am having a problem installing it. When I leave the prop nut loose it seems to rotate fine...however once I tighten everything down it starts to have a bit of run out....I don't think it's the prop shaft, as the old prop ran fine, any ideas if I could be doing something wrong, or perhaps I need to make the two hour drive back to the prop shop for a refund....


Ian

 

[mvn]

Re: Vortex Prop Problems

Is there a thrust washer behind the prop?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Vortex Prop Problems

Yup, also tested the shaft for run-out. The shaft is fine...phew...(using a dial gauge). We found that a small part of the prop was rubbing a bit on a section of corroded housing. I filed that down (the housing) and painted it. there's still some run-out in the prop itself though...gonna hit the lake and see if there is any undo vibrations...really don't want to make the two hour trek back to the prop shop...

 

[Randybeall]

Re: Vortex Prop Problems

If you have a straight shaft and runout in the prop, you need to make the two hour trip back to the prop shop. The vibration will tear up the bearings in the lower unit. Besides you just paid good money, well Canidian money, for the prop, it should be right!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Vortex Prop Problems

Well ran her out today and everything seemed fine. I'll stop in there next week and see if the guy can work an exchange...

Of note, the run out is exactly opposite itself at the housing end compaired to the nut end of the prop. It's as if the hub of the prop was machined at a very slight angle. A sign of poor quality in my books, my thinking is that it could very well be balanced, just not made very well. I plan on taking it back at any rate...I'll just be careful not to hit any rocks this weekend...heh.. The performance wasn't much different then my old chewed up prop too. I'm going to try and trim it out further tommorow to see if there is any improvement (no hydraulic trim on this dinosaur!).


PS: Dunno where you bin, but the US dollar ain't worth much anymore...

Ian

 

[Turbo1]

Re: Vortex Prop Problems

If this is the hard, plastic insert, it "could" be a flaw....alot of props are not "true when bolted up but tend to straighten out under a load with softer hubs, and this is normal. If this prop is very far out and wants to "stay" in that position with the harder delrin sleeve, you should feel the vibration.
I have a feeling I know what the shop will tell you, but it would be worth checking out. This is not the first I've heard of this issue.