Alpha One Gen 2- Changing Prop

[rh92]

Well I damaged my first prop the other day hit a stump of some sort. When I purchased the boat the previous owner had a spare he hadn't used yet.

I was hesitant to try to change the prop my self to start with. Well after I started it looked extremely easy. Remove the bolt, Pull off the lock washer. Then pull out the piece of metal that slides down on the shaft.

I began putting it back together and noticed I could not get a decent grip on it to turn the bolt. I had a socket on the bolt and tried using a pair of channel locks to hold the piece of metal that slid on the shaft. Well I got it fairly tight with a little play like it shows it should be online.

When I began watching a video of a guy changing a prop on a mercruiser. He was able to wedge a piece of wood into the prop fin to hold it while he cranked on the bolt. I'm just wondering why mine continued to spin even while holding the prop. Why did I need a pair of channel locks to actual hold the metal piece that connected to the shaft?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Alpha One Gen 2- Changing Prop

You should be able to put that prop on with the same hardware as the old prop; if it's the correct prop for your model/brand of drive.

Just because it was in the boat doesn't mean it's the right prop. Folks buy used props off E-Bay billed by the seller as fitting this or that, and throw it in the boat without actually trying it out.

For an example, a Solas 17 pitch prop for a Merc 150 is a different number than a 17 pitch prop for Johnson 150, even though both are 15 spline. The difference is the length of the hub.

When you slid the thrust washer on(before the prop), then the prop, there must be about an inch of splines still showing for the outer washer to slid onto in order to "lock" it in place. The only thing you should have to hold in place as you tighten the prop nut is the prop itself(the reason for the piece of wood).

It sounds like you have the wrong prop; or you put the thrust washer on backwards. The beveled side faces AWAY from the prop.

 

[rh92]

Re: Alpha One Gen 2- Changing Prop

Thanks for the reply Jestor. When I removed the old prop I never even took the trust washer off. I never knew it existed until I watched a video on youtube. I'll look more into it tomorrow.

 

[rh92]

Re: Alpha One Gen 2- Changing Prop

Actually I think I may have found my issue. Does the plastic piece that sits inside the prop come with a new prop? I checked the bent prop and my plastic piece was still in it. I didnt slide it down in the new prop.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Alpha One Gen 2- Changing Prop

That's the FloTorque hub. It goes in the same way it was in the other prop. That hub is what connects the prop body to the prop shaft.

If the "new" prop has no rubber hub in it, that one goes in.