Knot Waiting
Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 761
The Boat:
1987 Four Winns Sundowner 23' Mercruiser 350 Alpha 1
The Backstory:
Purchased this boat late last season and ran it for a few weekends before it got too cold. Winterized the engine and let er' sit until spring. Before launching this year replaced the drive impeller and housing, filled the drive, checked engine alignment (perfect), greased everything up and reinstalled the drive. Replaced the old aluminum prop with an Ebay used prop of matching pitch. Put in Memorial weekend and ran all day flawlessly.
The Problem:
After a successful first day out we returned to to water again the next afternoon. Launched as normal and idled out to safe water then powered up to plane out and suddenly the RPM's spiked and the boat lost forward thrust. Backed off the throttle and tried again, same problem. It shows no issues from idle to 2000rpm but beyond that you could hear a "click" or "clack" from the rear of the engine and it revs' but does not move at matching speed. Prop hub appears normal and visually the coupler and input shaft appear to turn at the same rate of speed (looking at it from idle to fail).
The Conflicts:
The splines on the input shaft for the sterndrive looked like new (sharp broad shoulders) when it was out for service and the coupler looked ok from the distance it was viewable. Everything lined up, was greased, and went back together smoothly. The prop is a used Ebay purchase with no visable markings although I think it may be a Quicksilver brand.
Any Ideas? Thanks.
1987 Four Winns Sundowner 23' Mercruiser 350 Alpha 1
The Backstory:
Purchased this boat late last season and ran it for a few weekends before it got too cold. Winterized the engine and let er' sit until spring. Before launching this year replaced the drive impeller and housing, filled the drive, checked engine alignment (perfect), greased everything up and reinstalled the drive. Replaced the old aluminum prop with an Ebay used prop of matching pitch. Put in Memorial weekend and ran all day flawlessly.
The Problem:
After a successful first day out we returned to to water again the next afternoon. Launched as normal and idled out to safe water then powered up to plane out and suddenly the RPM's spiked and the boat lost forward thrust. Backed off the throttle and tried again, same problem. It shows no issues from idle to 2000rpm but beyond that you could hear a "click" or "clack" from the rear of the engine and it revs' but does not move at matching speed. Prop hub appears normal and visually the coupler and input shaft appear to turn at the same rate of speed (looking at it from idle to fail).
The Conflicts:
The splines on the input shaft for the sterndrive looked like new (sharp broad shoulders) when it was out for service and the coupler looked ok from the distance it was viewable. Everything lined up, was greased, and went back together smoothly. The prop is a used Ebay purchase with no visable markings although I think it may be a Quicksilver brand.
Any Ideas? Thanks.
