Guessing it's a bent prop shaft

[Diablos]

Last week struck a rock. I tested the prop shaft with no prop on and seemed to run smooth with no abnormal vibration. I purchased new prop and installed it this morning. When spinning the prop by hand it seems to get tight in one spot. Anyone have this problem before, if so was the prop shaft bent? Thanks

Aaron

[riddleofsteel]

Take the motor by a dealer for a micrometer test of the shaft for runout. If it is bent the seal will fail soon and allow water into the gear box. The gears will be the next to go.

[HPBB]

do you have insurance on the boat? if you do, and you should, call the insurance co. when you hid something it should be covered, and then take it to a shop, if you keep doing the guessing game its going to cost you lots of $$$

[Diablos]

  Quote

do you have insurance on the boat? if you do, and you should, call the insurance co. when you hid something it should be covered, and then take it to a shop, if you keep doing the guessing game its going to cost you lots of $$$

Lookin at my insurance policy, I don't see any coverage to the motor

[riddleofsteel]

The poor man's micrometer can be constructed fairly cheaply. If you have more time and tinker power than money. Park the boat/trailer on a flat concrete surface. Put the engine down in run position and remove the prop. Build a small wooden frame that can hold a sharp tip nail or a fine tip Sharpie pen 90 degrees to the side of the output shaft. Arrange the frame so the tip of the nail or pen is ALMOST touching the side of the shaft. Put a sandbag or other heavy weight on the base of the frame so it does not move. A well placed set of jack stands may also help to stabilize the trailer/boat combo.

When everything is in place have some turn the engine over as slowly as possible while you watch the tip of your homemade micrometer. (You may have to remove the spark plugs and turn the engine by hand while it is in gear to do this.) If the tip of the nail is barely touching the side of the shaft on one side it should maintain the same distance while it revolves. If you are using the pen method the tip of the pen should be always maintain the same distance away from the shaft. If it clears on one side and strikes the shaft as it rotates you got troubles.