Tightening Prop On Motor

[PotomacBassin]

Need everyone's opinion.  I was greasing my prop shaft before winter and ran into something.  So the tightening specs for my prop is 55 lb. ft.  When I tighten it down to 55, the locking key ring doesn't line up.  So I had two options.  Tighten it a little more to make it line up, or loosen it up a bit to make it line up.  I went with the tighten it a little more option.  Does anyone know what to do in this situation? I hope I did right. 

 

 

[tomustang]

I tighten, though it doesn't matter which direction you go since torquing down can be a +/- a few pounds. Long as you aren't going too far lose or too far tight you should be fine.

[PotomacBassin]

Thanks.  Well it ended up being about 65 pounds.  I still used my torque wrench to see what it was at.  Think that was too much? 

[Traveler2586]

I personally don't use a torque wrench on my prop, even though I own several; I just tighten until its firm and then back off until the tabs align.

[PotomacBassin]

I personally don't use a torque wrench on my prop, even though I own several; I just tighten until its firm and then back off until the tabs align.

Alright, so you're a backer-offer. I wonder if I should have done that instead.   I guess I'm just too OCD about this.

[slonezp]

Alright, so you're a backer-offer. I wonder if I should have done that instead.   I guess I'm just too OCD about this.

Whatever you do, don't drop the star lock washer into the gas tank.

[PotomacBassin]

Whatever you do, don't drop the star lock washer into the gas tank.

Now wouldn't that be something. Now that would be Murphy's law.

[Traveler2586]

Many years ago I was told that when you greased the prop shaft, remove the forward thrust hub to clean and grease the shaft in that area also so the hub doesn't seize up on the shaft.  But, in truth, none of the DIY'ers I know take that extra step.

[cadman]

Whatever you do, don't drop the star lock washer into the gas tank.

Now that is funny. You know what? I can't wait until I meet you on our BR mini fishing expo next year. I need to be in your boat. I'll spend more time laughing and having a good time than fishing. Probably wouldn't catch any fish, but the company would be great.

[cadman]

Many years ago I was told that when you greased the prop shaft, remove the forward thrust hub to clean and grease the shaft in that area also so the hub doesn't seize up on the shaft.  But, in truth, none of the DIY'ers I know take that extra step.

I sure do.

 

Now to answer the OP's question. I have a torque wrench also, and I don't use it on the prop. I tighten it up good, and then line up the start washer and bend two tabs. Now if I were working on something critical like an engine bolt pattern than I would definitely use a torque wrench. However, I'm not saying that the way I do it is right. Do what makes you feel at peace.

[PotomacBassin]

Many years ago I was told that when you greased the prop shaft, remove the forward thrust hub to clean and grease the shaft in that area also so the hub doesn't seize up on the shaft.  But, in truth, none of the DIY'ers I know take that extra step.

I remove the thrust hub, cleaned the shaft there and greased.  Actually mine was a little sticky but I pried it off which made me definitely want to clean and grease from now on.  It only takes an extra couple seconds to do it.  Great point.