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how to fix a prop?

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Beagleman

Regular Contributor
Good day guys, I just received a 30 hp Mariner, 2 cylinder, serial number 30 ML 689 L 331200.

This motor's prop some dings in its edges about the width of a thumbnail, and some bends that deviate about about 2 mm off its regular pitch. I'm wandering, iF this prop'S still usable? IF so, what's an affordable way to either fix, or improve its condition?

Thanks in advance.

Robby
 
Assume you are talking about a "workshop" fix as opposed to taking it to a "prop shop" for rehab.

Assume you have a cast aluminum prop. If so the most you can do "at home" is take a file to the nicks and smooth them out a little. You don't want to go nuts and take away too much metal or you could unbalance the prop, but smoothing it out will help prevent cavitation, ventillation (and a bunch of other "ations" that are bad :)).

As to the "bends", unless they are causing noticeable vibration I would either run with it, or off to a shop to straightened up. Don't get out a big hammer and try and do it yourself - you would probably only break the cast. Besides, 2 mm (about 1/12th of an inch) is probably well within tolerance of some of the junk on the market nowadays.
 
Should have added to the above. If you have any "chunks" missing there is a product on the market (a couple different mfg's) called aluminum epoxy.

It comes in a stick (about the size of a breakfast sausage) with the consistency of modelling clay. You cut off a hunk, knead it until you get a uniform colour and use it to (patch) your big dings/missing pieces of prop.

When it cures (totally in about 24 hours) you can form it with a file.

(try a google search for "starbrite epoxy aluminum putty" and you can have a read - the other mfg's product are identical - probably all produced in the same kindergarten class in China)
 
I troll close to the bank in the dark...that's where the bigguns are feeding...and have sent 4 props for refurb. this summer to Delta Props in Cleves, OH. They charge $60 for aluminum props; round trip shipping is $20....cheapest new one I've found is $100 at Great Lakes Skipper.com. I need to mount a flood light on the bow so I can see the BFRs before I run over them.

Also looking at composite props. They are not one piece props so you can replace a blade if you run over a BFR. They are not great for torque and speed...they flex too much...but are easy/cheap to repair yourself.
 
Yes, I run a Propulse 4 blade (modular) composite on my 140 Ev. The spare blades are 15 or 20 bucks a pop and can be changed "on the water" with nothing more than a prop wrench.

Well worth it if you are "prone" :)
 
Your little dings don't amount to a hill of beans. If you want to know what a hill of beans is worth? Less than 2 bits........2 bits is 25 cents. If you are worried about it, your answer would be in vibration of the engine at any speed where you didn't have vibration before.

You are addressing the general public on any online forum and you get answers from A to Z. Got to make up your own mind and cut out the chaff.

Mark

"Don't fix it if it ain't broke"
 
wow guyjg, that's a good price. Do they come in the size that fits my Good day guys, 30 hp Mariner, 2 cylinder one carb, serial number 30 ML 689 L 331200 outboard?

Robby
 
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