[C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather

Wed Jan 2 11:36:58 PST 2013

I believe I just use a large automotive 3 jaw gear puller.  Cost me 20 bucks or so and worked just fine.  

Put the gear puller on and tightened it up with a decent amount of force.  Then with the torch heating the prop hub, I kept tapping the hub with a hammer gently untill it popped free.  Quick process.

Jeff

Fred LEcuyer <fred.lecuyer at live.com> wrote:

>Thanks Jon!
>
>Based on your comment about "cause injury". I'm glad it didn't come off
>yesterday because weren't careful about being behind the prop.
>
>Did you loosen the key first? In which direction?
>
>Good tip about Auto Zone rentals. I had forgotten them.
>
>Fred
>
>> From: jonvez at comcast.net
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2013 12:13:18 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> 
>> Fred,
>> 
>> Yes, the key stays in place until the prop is off.
>> 
>> You can use a wheel or hub puller. Although I've used the
>association's prop
>> puller in the past, this time around I used a hub/wheel puller. We
>did my
>> boat, a Jeanneau with a Flexo-fold, and a Catalina 30 the same day
>with said
>> hub puller. You can get one relatively cheaply at your local Auto
>Zone or
>> similar. Make sure it has 3 legs and the jaws will reach at least 7".
>> 
>> The advice a previous post mentioned regarding keeping the nut on the
>shaft
>> until the prop pops is critical. The prop can pop off with
>considerable
>> force and cause injury. Just back the nut off about a 1/4" or so from
>the
>> prop hub, just enough to let the prop come free.
>> 
>> Good luck...
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Fred
>LEcuyer
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 11:19 AM
>> To: Catalina320list Catalina320list
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> 
>> So, here's the update.  I got the nuts off with the MAPP gas but
>couldn't
>> get the prop loose with rapping on it while heating it.
>> 
>> Two questions for you all who have done this before.
>> 
>> #1 Which way should the key be moved forward or aft? I assume it
>stays in
>> place until the prop is actually off.
>> 
>> #2 Would a wheel puller do the same job as the prop puller?  Maybe I
>can
>> rent one nearby.
>> 
>> Fred
>> 
>> P.S. The socket size for the nuts is 32 mm.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> > From: fred.lecuyer at live.com
>> > Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2013 15:56:43 -0500
>> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> > 
>> > We pulled ours in September also but didn't get the new prop until
>> December.
>> > 
>> > Sent from my HTC InspireT 4G on AT&T
>> > 
>> > ----- Reply message -----
>> > From: "pat reynolds" <lorasalum at yahoo.com>
>> > To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> > Subject: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> > Date: Mon, Dec 31, 2012 2:38 pm
>> > 
>> > 
>> > Just curious.  When do you prop pullers take your boats out for the
>> winter?  Ours come out in October and prop pulling is a little warmer
>then.
>> > 
>> > 
>> > 
>> > 
>> > ________________________________
>> >  From: Allan S Field <allan.field at verizon.net>
>> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> > Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 9:36 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> >  
>> > When we used the MAP torch, we were changing out the cutlass at the
>same
>> time so I can't answer that potential concern.  My memory is that we
>were
>> heating the hub of the prop and simultaneously applying pressure with
>the
>> prop puller. Maybe Jeff Hare can weigh in on this as I believe it was
>Jeff
>> who gave me the MAP torch idea.
>> > 
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
>> > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
>> > fred.lecuyer at live.com
>> > Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 8:42 AM
>> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> > 
>> > Thanks Allen. Any need to worry about heat deforming the cutlass
>bearing?
>> > 
>> > Fred
>> > 
>> > Sent from my HTC InspireT 4G on AT&T
>> > 
>> > ----- Reply message -----
>> > From: "Allan S Field" <allan.field at verizon.net>
>> > To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> > Subject: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> > Date: Sun, Dec 30, 2012 8:22 am
>> > 
>> > 
>> > Fred - More heat should work.  My experience is that it generally
>will
>> take a MAP torch to get enough heat on the prop to break it loose. 
>The MAP
>> applies about 3 times the heat of a propane torch.  The Association
>prop
>> puller tool also would be very helpful and we supply an adjustable
>crescent
>> wrench with the tool!  The prop puller is out on loan currently but
>should
>> be available soon.  The form for requesting the puller is on the
>website.  I
>> obviously can't ship a MAP cylinder however.
>> > 
>> > Allan S. Field - C320 Toolbox Custodian Sea Shadow - #808 Columbia,
>MD
>> > 
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Fred 
>> > LEcuyer
>> > Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:09 PM
>> > To: Catalina320list Catalina320list
>> > Subject: [C320-list] Changing the prop in cold weather
>> > 
>> > Maybe one of you has done this before and has some words of wisdom.
>> > 
>> > I've gotten a three blade prop to replace the original two blade
>and 
>> > decided that, as the weather was about 38 degrees F here, today
>would 
>> > be a good day to do a job on the boat ;>)
>> > 
>> > Here's what I did:
>> > STEP 1.     Sprayed PB Blaster in the area of concern and let it
>sit for
>> > about 10 minutes. 
>> > STEP 2.     Fiddled with the wrenches that I had and found only the
>vise
>> > grip was large enough to get around the first nut.
>> > STEP 3.    Heated the first nut with a propane torch for a few
>> minutes.....
>> > not enough to make it glow and Rudolph was on vacation anyway, so
>no help
>> there.
>> > STEP 4.   Applied the vise grip on the outer nut and (yes, I admit
>it) a
>> > pipe wrench on the inner nut.
>> > STEP 5.  Tapped the vise grips with a hammer while holding the pipe
>wrench
>> as steady as possible.
>> > STEP 6.   Grimaced. (Did I mention that I had shoulder 12 months
>ago and
>> now
>> > the other shoulder is jealous?)
>> > STEP 7.   Cursed and told myself I either need better wrenches,
>more heat
>> or
>> > ...... a yet bigger yard bill.
>> > 
>> > 
>> > At this point I like to hear from anyone about what size wrenches I
>need
>> and any other tips on doing what I thought was going to be a simple
>job.
>> > 
>> > Many thanks for your thoughts.
>> > 
>> > Fred
>> > First Light
>> > Hull 926
>> > 
>>  		 	   		  =
>> 
> 		 	   		  