TOPIC: New Prop, Clearance to Anode

With a new Rubex Solas prop on my Mercury 1400, there seems to be not alot of clearance from where the prop passes near the anode. Maybe about 1/2 inch.

Is this normal?

One-half inch clearance should be fine. The aluminum blades may flex somewhat under acceration but not that much. Mercury makes a setback trim tab that is required for high rake props where the blades sweep back. With the setback trim tab on my Mercury, the chopper prop has about 3/16" clearance and I am thinking that should be okay. The first picture shows a Mercury bronze prop and a setback trim tab, and the second the rake of a Mercury Chopper prop.

David (dpanky) is known as "the Propmaster" up in his neck of the woods Ken. If he says it's good, you can take that to the bank.

I have a Solas Amita 3 (19P)I run on mine sometimes, they're a pretty good prop, believe the Rubex is a step up in quality/performance from mine. I believe you'll like it. I know your itching to get the Merc powered G'tron out on the water, how's she coming along?

if you still doubt it cut a notch in it.

Which is what I did!

I just take them off and throw'em into a pile with the others, BUT I dont run in saltwater. And I dont Idle for hrs fishing(unless IM in my fishin boat) I dont see any tq steer problems at any speed without them,infact I see less wander at Idle spds. I have been running this way for many years,mostly Glasspar g3s, torpedo tunnel,14' MX, Sidewinders etc.

I'll try to get a picture posted but I think I will grind a bit of it away for more clearance.

Mark, I "phoned a friend" on the engine: he's a great mechanic named Rusty. He showed me alot in one afternoon. I took the 3 carbs off and he took them to his shop, put them in an ultrasonic cleaner, adjusted them and I put them back on.

I put them back on and Rusty came over and we adjusted the idle.
That engine runs like new.

If the boat will run without the tab OK then you can get a flat anode that sits in its place, thats what I have on my 115. Even if you are not running in salt it smooths out the underside of the cav plate.

That's a good idea... heres a picture of the clearance as is... seems too close to me!

Just take a grinder and cut back a nice notch say 1/4-1/2 where the tip is closest. Probably does not need to be done, but might as well if you have the time.

Prop shafts and hubs can flex in and out. Mostly in.

PS your prop looks like its just barly gettin into the gearcase housing. Does it push on any further? Does your prop shaft move fwd when you push on it?

Conrad

I really had not tightened it down yet, so yes, it probably will move forward... but a grinder is what I thought of also.