[C320-list] Shaft Coupling to Transmission

[Stanley Rogacevicz]

Randy,
   I checked my old bronze shaft last night to confirm my guess of 1/4"
holes bored in the shaft to accept those set screws - yup. After
re-reading your post  I see you only say that only the keyway was shiny
which may not mean anything. I don't recall but chances are that the
tapered keyway may have been showing all along because unlike the
hammering a bit I mentioned (not recommended) it would take some wailing
with a 10 lb sledge to either snap those set screw/bolts or make them
plow though your shaft. It would still be worth confirming though
because if - unlikely as it is - both set screws failed there would be
nothing holding your shaft in.
Stan
  
Randy,
  I have hammered on my old 3 blade a bit to get it off with no ill
affects. If I remember back about 5 years correctly those set screws go
into holes in the shaft approx 1/4" so if they hammered hard enough to
move the shaft with those set screws in properly then something had to
give - a lot.
Stan
(formerly) Christy Leigh
c320 #656
Wickford/Narragansett Bay RI

>>> CGreenwell at sparusa.com 4/24/2006 4:33 PM >>>
Ok, the long awaited day arrived.  I splashed my boat for the season. 
It was time to go out and test my new Flex-O-Fold, 3 bladed, folding
prop installation.

The first thing I noticed was that the boat backed up straight! There
was very little prop walk.  I was overwhelmed with sheer joy.

The next thing I noticed was vibration when going forward.  It occurs
in the mid range areas of engine RPM (1400 - 2200).  At higher RPMs it
is less noticeable. 

I pushed the engine to 3000 RPM achieving 7.9 knots SOG on GPS and 7.6
on the Knot meter.  The water was smooth as a baby's bottom.  Anything
greater than 3000 RPMs did little to increase boat speed.

After returning to the dock I inspected the shaft and packing gland to
ensure everything was OK.  I noticed that the key slot on the shaft did
not go completely into the coupling attached to the transmission.  It
has about 3/8 of an inch showing.  Being a very observant individual, I
also noticed that the shaft was tarnished but the key slot was bright
and looked new.   This meant that the shaft had slipped out of the
coupling a little. Now, how could that happen?  

Well, after I had the prop installed, the installer called me and told
me that my cutlass bearing needed to be replaced.  I contacted the yard
maintenance folks and requested they change the bearing.  I learned from
one of the mechanics that they did not have the right prop puller so
they used a hammer to bang the prop off.  

So, what do I do now?  Can I loosen the set screws on the coupling and
simply push the shaft back in?  or Do I need to get it out of the water
to accomplish this.  I would like to know before I go down to the yard
and raise a little hell.  Any ideas?

Thanks
Randy
Le Bijou, Hull #719


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