Shear/drive pin material

[trex014]

So after a fun weekend of boating and having to use my last shear pin, I am going to make my own. I know my 1954 Johnson 10hp takes a 3/16 diameter pin but what is the best material to use and where can I buy it?

Looking at my broken shear pin it appears to be a bronze material and not brass, which brass rod seems to be much more available.

What have others used to make their own shear pins?

[Bob Wight]

I’ve used brass rod with no problems.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[trex014]

Thank you for the response, the brass rods are on the way. Happy boating!

[need2fish]

I know it goes without saying that you need to carry extra shear pins; ensure you have extra (rustproof) cotter pins. Consider carrying extra pliers and screwdriver.

I’ve had occasion to need a second set of pliers as the first set went overboard as I was replacing the cotter pin.

[tinkerman]

My son and I were out on the lake for an overnight trip and the clutch dog on the old mid 70’s Evinrude were giving out and we went thru 2 shear pins really quick. We do ked the boat ran to Walmart and I found some small bolts the right diameter. We opened the package in the store and “tried out” the bolt cutters from the shelf and I cut about 8 or 10 “pins” paid for the bolts went back to the lake and had a semi great overnight trip. Not suggesting this to try at home it just made me think about this story.

It's a jungle out there.

[amuller]

Somewhere on this site is posted a table of dimensions and materials for shear pins/drive pins for older OMC motors.

As a practical matter I think many people use hardware store brass rods for shear pins and stainless steel bolt material for drive pins (meaning there is a rubber hub or spring clutch or other means of load relief).

[joesnuffy]

If it is a stainless shear pin like used on larger older motors. An old guy that use to help me in the 80s kept old refrigerator grates and we would cut me some shear pins from them. I thought that was pretty cool. Sometimes you can find some nice ones at the recycle areas in your town. The also work good for camping we used to dig a small hole then line it with rock and lay one on top for cooking.

Hope that helps,
Joe

[dan-in-tn]

Looking up specs for the drive pin on your model in the Evinrude Quick Reference Guide shows that #203663 pin is 3/16” X 1 3/16” & made from #430 cold drawn annealed stainless steel. I only looked it up because occasionally brass/bronze will be used where stainless is specified. Brass/bronze will not hold up & cause lots of aggravation with having to change it out continuously. Hope that helps!

[Author]

Posts