Removing the prop?

[preserved_killick]

My cutlass bearing replacement project has been at a standstill now for a few days since I can't even get the darned propeller off.
I've got a three bladed bronze prop that appears keyed to the shaft with a slot in the shaft and a slot in the prop with the long rectangular key in between. It looks like the propeller should be able to slide backwards on the shaft but gentle, medium/gentle taps with a rubber mallet won't budge it. Even after a few days of PB Blaster applications the thing is stuck.

Am I missing something? My next step is to try to devise some sort of puller. Should slide off the end?

jeff

[Tim]

Props are on a tapered shaft, jammed on by design by the nuts.

You need a puller to remove a prop. Don't use a hammer.

[preserved_killick]

Oh, that explains it.

Thanks Tim. Glad I asked before I got out the "big persuader".

-jeff

[Quetzalsailor]

It's really expensive to batter a prop. You'll pay dearly to have it 'tuned up' after abuse. About $300. And my wife still tells the story about how my puller rig let go and catapulted her across a gravel boatyard lot, and landing her on her head. Chewed up the prop blades, too. I'm sure which was the more expensive.

I've enjoyed much pain getting a prop off. My M 27's prop seemed welded and I ended up by removing the shaft and the prop and devouring them at home... Clamped the shaft in the vise, put the puller on to just beginning to mush the end of the bronze shaft, and dosing the assembly with penetrating fluid. A week later it was still unconvinced so I heated the hub with a propane torch. Puhh!

I reassembled it with a smear of Teflon pipe dope on the taper. I did the Cutless since it was easy. Removed the strut and sawed a strip out of the Cutless at home. Reassembled it with a smear of Teflon dope, too.

[Quetzalsailor]

Two different boats in the previous post. Quetzal's propeller came off without undue effort, but the shaft would not come out of the engine's flange. See last year's epic story on this forum about my fitout from hell. Vela's shaft came readily out of the flange but the prop resisted. Neither boat's Cutless came out without specialized attentions.