Propeller shaft and prop

[bass60]

As I was getting ready to storage my boat for the winter (A 1999 Gambler with 2000 225pro max), I took off the prop(a 3 blade chopper 28 ) I notice the splines were twisted 1 1/2 whole splines. I can't not believe this didn't break off. I bought the boat in early April and have fished and ran the boat very fast all year long. And, no I haven't hit anything. Because the prop still looks great.

O.K. How hard is this to change the shaft.

I'm also looking for a differant prop so I can have a hole shot. Can anyone help me where to start with prop pitch? and size blades? 3 0r 4
Thank you for your time.

[vector mike]

My propshaft was twisted when I got the motor and I have been running it for 2 years with a Cleaver on it at 3/4" above the pad and havn't noticed it to move anymore. I'm not saying that it is supposed to be that way but in Drag Cars the axles take what we call a set and will twist alittle too when they are new. Try a 26 pitch prop to gain some whole shot and it won't be too much less so it won't put you on the limiter all the time.

Check out the splines on mine.

[pyro]

Mike, that's a little bit strange. Shouldn't they be twisted the other way? Maybe somebody whacked it really hard while it was in reverse??

[Raceman]

The other thing that'll twist propshafts is shifting it when it's revin' fast. If you let it run fast in neutral and shift it, or change directions without the engine going back to idle it can happen. I ran one several seasons on an old 3.4/300 that was twisted by a previous owner. It never failed.

[vector mike]

You are right. Never thought about it before you mentioned it. It is twisted in the wrong direction if it was done in the forward gear. Maybe somebody did the ole forward to reverse thing real hard a few times. HUH? Don't know what happened to it because it was done like that before I got it but seems to be working fine.

[Mercrauder]

I had the same thing on my old 2.4 EFI...
Found out that not only it was twisted,but also out off balance...
and could damage the bearings and sealing
try turning it back and fourth with a rope on the shaft and see if it bounces in the end....

H.Skytte

[Jacob]

There are plenty prop shafts that have been twisted that come through our shop, it never seems to cause a problem. It almost seems that a slight twist may compact the molecules closer together in that area, therefore making it stronger in that area, unless it twists enough to shear some of the molecules. Anybody more knowledgeable on the molecular structure of metal? I would be interested on any info on this.