Torque or Not Torque

[Patrick]

I picked up my rebuilt prop, from the local prop repairman. I asked him what he recomended for a foot pounds of torque on the prop nut.I was surprised by his answer. " Just tighten it up with a cresent wrench, make sure you bend the tabs in" NOW.... my understanding is, you support the prop with a stick of wood. just let a blade rest on the wood and take a torque wench and tighten the nut to somewhere about 40 lbs or so. I didn't remember the number. That's is why I asked him.But I didn't agree with his answer.

Have I been wrong ALL these years.

So I was thinking..... How many skippers just tightens the prop nut with a wrench?

Or do you really torque the nut to foot pounds?


Patrick

[Randygh]

I don't know what other folks do, but when I put the props on my outdrive, I snug the nut with a socket (can't get an end wrench or crescent on it) and bend the tabs to prevent the nut from turning. I don't tighten with a torque wrench. On my 9.9 kicker I snug the nut but if the grooves in the nut don't line up with the hole on the shaft, I'll loosen the nut until I can get a cotter pin through the grooves into the hole. I'll be interested to hear with others say.

[Ssounder]

I don't know what other folks do, but when I put the props on my outdrive, I snug the nut with a socket (can't get an end wrench or crescent on it) and bend the tabs to prevent the nut from turning. I don't tighten with a torque wrench. On my 9.9 kicker I snug the nut but if the grooves in the nut don't line up with the hole on the shaft, I'll loosen the nut until I can get a cotter pin through the grooves into the hole. I'll be interested to hear with others say.

Ditto Randy..

[bradvo]

I picked up my rebuilt prop, from the local prop repairman. I asked him what he recomended for a foot pounds of torque on the prop nut.I was surprised by his answer. " Just tighten it up with a cresent wrench, make sure you bend the tabs in" NOW.... my understanding is, you support the prop with a stick of wood. just let a blade rest on the wood and take a torque wench and tighten the nut to somewhere about 40 lbs or so. I didn't remember the number. That's is why I asked him.But I didn't agree with his answer.

Have I been wrong ALL these years.

So I was thinking..... How many skippers just tightens the prop nut with a wrench?

Or do you really torque the nut to foot pounds?


Patrick



I know my diver does not take a torque wrench under water with him.

[Go Aweigh2452]

My manual says to tighten until three of the tabs line up and bend them down. No torque wrench involved. The kicker is as discussed, tighten then loosen until the cotter holes line up.

I carry extra cotter pins for the kicker and an extra nut and lock down ring for the BII.

[Patrick]

Ok... My only question is how do you know if you have the prop seated properly on the shaft if you don't torque it down?

Check this www.tacomapropeller.com/13297/Propeller-installation-procedure.html

[SomeSailor]

You'll feel it settle all the way onto the shaft. I don't think the torque is a huge deal. 55lbs isn't that much. Mine's not torqued... just hand-tight and then locked.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Ok... My only question is how do you know if you have the prop seated properly on the shaft if you don't torque it down?

Check this www.tacomapropeller.com/13297/Propeller-installation-procedure.html (http://www.tacomapropeller.com/13297/Propeller-installation-procedure.html)

You know because the prop is not able to be moved pulling and pushing it after the install. The Mercruiser tool to take a prop off and put it on is not a torque wrench. Just place enough pressure on the tool to tighten and check to make sure three tabs are aligned with the indents on the castled prop nut. You can tighten a tad (or should I say "tab" more). That tightening will be right about 50-55 ft lbs to get three tabs lined up. You shouldnot be able to tighten any more AND get the three tabs to align...

Of course I place a piece of 2x4 in between the prop and the outdrive to prevent spinning. You will feel the amount of "torque" or tightening it takes. The castled prop nut interior threads are tapered to tighten as they get turned onto the prop shaft. You should feel this tightening.

If you feel it is that critical, make a run to your local auto parts store and either rent a torque wrench that will fit the tapered nut or buy a set from your local Harbor Freight store. Heck, if you can tow the boat to the auto store, you can ask them to do it...

You should check the "give" pull/push after a few hours to ensure you have it tight. I've done it a ton of times and never had a problem of too loose...

[Patrick]

Well said Doug. I to can feel a torque adjustment by hand. But since I own 3 torque wrenches, I just leave one in the boat as my "prop tool". I change out my prop at least twice a year. I have one prop for winter Christmas Ships Parade run, than my good prop for the spring/ summer season.

Mostly I was courios about who "Torques" and who doesn't. Overwelmly most tighten by hand.

Patrick