Stuck Prop?

[kevinrude]

Well, I’ve never had this happen before.

Working on a 3HP 1947/48 MW motor. Removed the cotter pin and the prop nut, but the propeller won’t come off! It is stuck. The prop is engaged with the gears, so the only thing I can figure is that the shear pin is bent or something and, as a result, has wedged itself onto the prop. Would anything else cause it to be stuck like this? I can’t see any other bolts or screws holding the prop on and the parts diagram I have doesn’t show any either.

I don’t want to put any more pressure on the prop than I already have trying to remove it for fear it will break. So, what are my options here? Tapping around the prop hub with a mallet? Heating it up with a torch to see what happens? I’m open to suggestions.

Thanks!

[outbdnut2]

You could have a rusty propshaft – try soaking in penetrating oil. Then keep on tapping with a rubber mallot. It may take a few days of soaking.
Dave

[squierka39]

I had the same thing happen with a champion. On mine it ended up being dried up oil and goo sticking it on like glue. I soaked it for months then made a puller for it, put some pressure on it and heated it. It finally popped off. Cleaned up the dried and no burnt oil and both prop and shaft are fine.

[frankr]

It is being held on by rust and corrosion. Heat will help by expanding the aluminum. One problem with that is the prop is mostly hollow, so you are heating the outer part without effectively getting it hot around the center where is is actually stuck to the shaft. But it’s still your best hope.

Kevin, you mentioned you have never seen this happen before. With all respect, I gotta say you must have lived a protected life (far away from salt water too).

[chris-p]

Or you haven’t worked on a Merc! I can remember my first few stuck props on a steel shaft. Terrible compared to dealing with an OMC.

On 2 or 3 Mercs I have had to cut the blade off in pieces.

[garry-in-michigan]

Is this your model ? . . . 😕

[garry-in-michigan]

That 132092 shear pin is also used on the Evinrude Sportsman and Sportwin . . . 🙂

[kevinrude]

quote Garry in Tampa:

Is this your model ? . . . 😕

Yep, that’s the one!

[kevinrude]

quote FrankR:

It is being held on by rust and corrosion. Heat will help by expanding the aluminum. One problem with that is the prop is mostly hollow, so you are heating the outer part without effectively getting it hot around the center where is is actually stuck to the shaft. But it’s still your best hope.

Kevin, you mentioned you have never seen this happen before. With all respect, I gotta say you must have lived a protected life (far away from salt water too).

Yeah, the only time we see salt water in Michigan is when grandma gets sick of looking at the leeches in the pickle jar and wants them deceased!

[garry-in-michigan]

You may as well have the rest . . . 🙂

[Author]

Posts