How to remove prop

[Chexi]

Okay, I tried searching but kept getting errors, so I will post my question.

Yesterday I tried to pull my prop using an acme prop puller. No dice. The thing would not budge. I remember reading that you can heat up (either the shaft or prop) with a torch, and the metal expansion will break it loose. However, I do not recall which I am supposed to heat up (the shaft or the propeller). Anyone know?

Also, I can't easily drop the boat in the water and run the prop in reverse for a few seconds (which I understand is another way). My boat is in dry storage presently.

Thank you in advance.

[crobi2]

I popped mine off with a C-style puller back in January. To do it, I loosened the nut a couple of turns (but leave it on to catch the prop when it comes off). Then I cranked the puller to within an inch of its life. Finally, I used a propane torch to heat the hub of the propeller (and kept my hands clear). After a time, BANG!, the prop pops off of the taper.

With your boat, I think it should be the same as mine. Good luck!

[Rick]

Here is the link to prop pulling for dummies. http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ht=prop+puller Have fun

[Bri93SN]

I've read where guys have rotated the C clamp (well rotated the prop really) to put it between different blades. To kind of work it off a little.Guys on Correctcraftfan have built their own heavy duty ones too. Like this:

[east tx skier]

I had a little trouble getting mine off with a C-style puller. I used a heat gun. You heat up the hub of the prop. Make sure you leave that nut on there. And be prepared, when it lets go and pops off, it's noisy and will get your heart beating if you're not ready for it.

[OKWAKEBDR]

Just crank down the C-style puller until it pops. I also grease the shaft and key when I put the new prop on - makes it MUCH easier to take off later.

[xrichard]

I had trouble getting mine off w/a C-style puller. I cranked very hard. I tried heat. I tried hitting it. Then I tried spraying some PB lube (don't know if it helped), cranked the puller and left it over night. The next day I tightened the puller just a little and the prop popped off.

In the future, I'll avoid hitting the puller--all of that energy goes straight to the transmission. Patience worked for me in the end...just put it under a lot of tension and leave it.

Also, you might want to search on the CCFan site for "lapping" the shaft while your prop is off.

[TRBenj]

Just crank down the C-style puller until it pops. I also grease the shaft and key when I put the new prop on - makes it MUCH easier to take off later.

FYI, you do NOT want to install the prop with any grease. A proper fit on the taper is how the prop stays on- it transmits 90% of the force (the key only does 10%).

I have a c-style puller and its not ideal, as it loads up one side more than the other. A 3-bolt or 4-bolt puller like the one shown above will pull much more evenly. That being said, I have yet to encounter a prop that I couldnt remove with the c-style. Install it as tight as you can, and then pop the back side of the puller with a hammer. Hit it once, decently hard, and it should pop. If not, re-tighten and repeat. Let it sit for a while with tension on it and it should work even better. If you use heat, then heat the prop (heat = expansion), not the shaft.

[Chexi]

Thanks all!

[OKWAKEBDR]

FYI, you do NOT want to install the prop with any grease. A proper fit on the taper is how the prop stays on- it transmits 90% of the force (the key only does 10%).

I have a c-style puller and its not ideal, as it loads up one side more than the other. A 3-bolt or 4-bolt puller like the one shown above will pull much more evenly. That being said, I have yet to encounter a prop that I couldnt remove with the c-style. Install it as tight as you can, and then pop the back side of the puller with a hammer. Hit it once, decently hard, and it should pop. If not, re-tighten and repeat. Let it sit for a while with tension on it and it should work even better. If you use heat, then heat the prop (heat = expansion), not the shaft.

I've used grease for years without a problem - ever, and the instructions I got with my ACME Marine C-Puller Kit from Delta Propeller said to do it.

[AirTool]

I had to heat last year for the first time.

Take a sharpie and mark the side of the hub between two blades and heat only that area. DON'T heat the entire hub or the trick doesn't work. If you heat only one side, it expands and increases the diameter of the hole. If you heat the whole thing, it all expands and could actually get tighter. (follow me?)

I also put a piece of cardboard between prop and bottom of boat.

I also wrapped the bushing in a wet rag.

If you have a bbq hose that fits your tank and torch, it is easier to control the torch than with a bottle on it....and liquid doesn't put the flame out.

[Chexi]

I will be using my creme brulee torch, as I don't have the kind with the big bottle of gas. It's a lot smaller and easier to get in there. It also is easy to shut off.

Thanks for the tips AirTool. I was wondering how that would work... seemed like it would just make it tighter, but now I understand.

[AirTool]

I will be using my creme brulee torch, as I don't have the kind with the big bottle of gas. It's a lot smaller and easier to get in there. It also is easy to shut off.

Thanks for the tips AirTool. I was wondering how that would work... seemed like it would just make it tighter, but now I understand.

It takes surprisingly little heat if it is done right. IIRC, after it popped off (puller on while heating), I couldn't touch the heated area comfortably but I think I could touch the blades, they are basically cooling fins. I had a water spray bottle nearby and sprayed water on the hub and IIRC it didn't sizzle.

There was absolutely no heat in the shaft.

[DanielC]

I have also used heat to remove a stubborn propeller.
I squirt some water into the strut bushing, from the upper end, and then wrap a wet rag around the strut, trying to get part of the rag between the propeller shaft, and the strut.
I use an oxyacetylene torch, with a poor man's rosebud tip. (cutting tip, DO NOT PUSH THE OXYGEN LEVER)

Point the heat away from the fiberglass, and heat the hub between the blades. Follow all the other advise about loosening the nut, but leaving it on. Apply pressure with the puller, while heating the prop hub. Usually 10 to 15 seconds of heat applied, and the propeller pops off.

I also have a propane torch, but my thought is the much more intense heat of the oxyacetylene heats the hub up faster, and heat does not have time to transfer to the shaft.

If you have applied a lot of pressure to your puller in the past, it may be sprung. If the end of the clamp that goes between the prop hub, and the strut, is not exactly perpendicular to the prop shaft, it pulls the propeller crooked, and it is a lot harder to pull the prop off.