Whats the right way to change a prop

[Richard B]

No, I'm not Richie from the Manic Street Preachers...

first job ever after school, worked in a factory (more like a shed with big tables) making plastic liners for containers. Whilst cutting a large plastic sheet to size, learnt the hard way that you should always keep your fingers behind a sharp blade.

Steering is Sea Star.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by Richard B
Steering is Sea Star.

Oh dear, never mind, at least it's not L & S.

[DM]

Originally posted by Richard B
. Imagine geting the "kiss of life" from dave

Well Dickie, as you've had three weeks trying to fix your steering and it's still broke, I can understand your ignorance, but swopping spit with stiffs has never been my forte. Fortunately, technology has advanced to such a degree so as to negate the need for me to go anywhere near blood/vomit covered wasings.

DM

[Richard B]

Dave, I'm sort of lucky that all I have to bring back to life is a rather poorly computer! You guys who do so have my respesct, that's for sure.

[Charles]

Originally posted by Richard B
Yeah, but you jump out of perfectly serviceable aeroplanes!

Hmmm, don't think so - the way they fall out the air these days?!

[mstacey]

Originally posted by Dirk Diggler
Sometimes I can't believe what I'm reading, but having suffered 4 pages on Bilge Pumps, what the hell.

Now I don't wish to appear rude, although I don't doubt that that is how you will interpret this, but Mstacey, should you really be in charge of a motorised vessel if you need to ask a question like this.

Dirk I don't find you rude at all.

However does
the pilot of the jet plane always know how to change the engine ?

and maybe just maybe were perhaps you once also in the position of never having changed a prop.

[mstacey]

Originally posted by Ribald

Do you know what torque you need to tighten the prop nut up to when you fit the new prop?

Not yet Ribald , but I will certainly find out before taking the old prop off. I hope to find it in the manual , if not it will be a call to the local Suzuki dealer to pose the question.

Thats unless of course somebody knows and will share that knowledge.

Perhaps Dirk does, but then as I'm a rank amatuer he would probably not divuluge the information to me on the grounds I should not be in charge of a motorised vessel unless I already know how to change the prop.

I wonder if the Captain of the Ark Royal knew the torque for his props ?

[Ribald]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mstacey


I wonder if the Captain of the Ark Royal knew the torque for his props ?

No but I'll bet he knows a man who does (or bl**dy well should do )

[Powerboat]

Handy hint no 33 !

When changing a prop at sea. or afloat in the marina...... first put your heavy duty plastic survival bag over the leg of the engine , so that you are now "operating" inside the bag and any bits you might drop are in the bag !

And every one does carry a spare prop and a survival bag ...Right?

Last time I did it for real was with a 24 inch diameter surface piercing prop 40 miles of the West Coast of Donegal in a F6 !!!!!

No bits lost !!!!

Best wishes,

Stuart

[jwalker]

So, none of you guys clean the shaft and apply new water resistant grease to the spline before you replace the prop?

Charles & Diggi, take care. Isolating the power will not necessarily prevent an outboard inadvertently starting. Some yes, but not all. But, of course, you know that. Just a wee error.

[Cookee]

As a racer, we tend to take our props off every time we take the boat out. It's not the cost of replacement although they are VERY expensive, it's the fact that a prop is impossible to recreate perfectly that is the problem.

I'm with Dirk on this one - remove split pin or bend back tab on washer - in neutral - block of wood - undo nut.

If it's in neutral it cannot start - if the key is in your pocket your 5 year old cannot start it.

Reverse the process to fit prop, having made sure the shaft is clean and regreased first!

While you're at it check / replace the oil in the gearbox!

[Charles]

Originally posted by Cookee


While you're at it check / replace the oil in the gearbox!

VERY good tip Cookee. That is exactly what I did on Monday. Found a bit of water in the gear-boxes as the seals were perished. Also, replaced the oil with the good Hi-perf green stuff.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by mstacey
Dirk I don't find you rude at all.

However does
the pilot of the jet plane always know how to change the engine ?

and maybe just maybe were perhaps you once also in the position of never having changed a prop.

Hmm, So do you consider yourself the equivalent of a 747 pilot when your at the helm of your rib? Or captain of the Ark Royal. Although you are probably correct, I wouldn't mind betting that percentage wise they know alot more about their craft than you do about yours!!

I don't really think it's quite the same, do you? A pilot has the backup of a team of dedicated engineers, huge engineering and servicing teams etc etc. You only have yourself.

It's just basic knowledge, and common sense. And yes, many years ago I too was in the position of never having changed a prop, I seem to remember that within a couple of minutes I had acquired that knowledge, something that you ought to try as well.

As for the torque setting, you worry to much. It's very rare to use a torque wrench to fasten a prop nut, and it's unlikely that you would carry one on board for the odd prop change at sea. ( although I don't doubt that Manos has one to comply with the Greek coastguard)

Most people use the Gorrilla method, that is do it up bleeding tight. If it was a big Merc, then 55 ft lbs is ok, but tight is the norm.

[jwalker]

Oh yeh, while you're there, have a quick look-see at the oil seal, clamp ring and lock washer. Nothing look loose? No fishing line wrapped around? No mouse nest in there after the winter? Good. It just takes 10 seconds longer.

It's the; out of gear, block of wood for me too.

[mstacey]

Thanks Dirk and thanks to everybody else becaue, to quote Dirk slightly out of context ,' a couple of minutes' was it all it took to aquire the practical experience of changing the prop using the knowledge and helpful hints given on this forum.

Now if I can have some good weather and time off I can get out and see what the Rib will do with the new prop.

[Ribald]

Martin, I use the same block of wood that I use to support the engine when trailing not wanting to rely on the hydraulics or the tilt support bracket to keep it of the road . [Also handy for fending off un-welcome visitors, berthing masters, jetskiers, etc ]

Yes, I know, Dirk, belts & braces again

[Bilge Rat]

Hey guys

I know an easy way of getting the prop off, run the boat up a concrete slip way at full speed and watch that sucker ping across the car park

R

[Ribald]

I thought you only did that if you wanted to reduce the diameter

[gaelforce]

Aaaah! Block of wood. Not only is it invaluable for changing the prop - if you trim it properly (npi) it doubles as a base for the trailer jockey wheel when you're decoupling the trailer from the hitch on softish sand on a sloping beach. I love my block of wood.

[Ribald]

What a clever idea - yet another use for "The Block of Wood" - thanks.

The bl**dy thing will be wanting celebrity status soon

Any more uses folks?