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-   -   Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke.... (http://www.mariahownersclub.com/forum/mercury-mercruiser/3504-found-alpha-1-plate-broke.html)

95Z212 11-16-2009 02:14 AM

Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
I was putting the boat in my shop tonight, where it will sit all winter next to my plow trucks. I was fiddling around with the boat and took the prop off See picture below....
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...o07/mariah.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...07/mariah3.jpg



This is what I found :
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...07/mariah4.jpg

Can anyone tell me what the hell this thing does #1, why it broke, and its 'technical' name so I can get a new one on order? Also, my prop has a crack in the 'inner' ring that is on the inside (not the side facing the water, the one facing the lower unit. I will get a picture of the prop tomorrow.

I guess this forces me to get a new SS prop. I'm loving the fact that my baby gets to stay in the radiant heated floor and climate controlled shop so I can stare at her all winter :yes_grin:

WetWilly 11-16-2009 06:22 AM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
Hi 95Z212,

I believe that is called the 'Propeller Anode' and it is there to protect the lower area of the outdrive from being eaten away by Galvanic action between the steel and aluminum parts. It's a sacrificial Anode (also called zinks) designed to slowly dissolve away and is a replaceable item. From what I can tell from the picture, it doesn't seem to be broken, the two "notches" are for access to the two bolts that hold it on.

Now looking at your first picture, it appears that the large round Anode in the cavitation plate is missing (big hole above the prop) which might explain the condition of the 'Propeller Anode'. Check your outdrive to insure all the Anodes are present and in good condition (two on the gimble ring, one on the back of the cavitation plate [the missing one] and possibly one on it's front, one on the end of each trim ram and lastly, the Prop Anode), if not, install/replace then as needed, otherwise it will accelerate the wear on the remaining anodes

Good luck,
WetWilly

95Z212 11-16-2009 10:29 PM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
The one above the prop is there, its just the angle of the picture/light, and the fact that i sanded, primed with 2 coats and shot 2 coats black, with 1 clear (just never taped it of)

The one that i say is 'broke' is there. Hectic day at work, so no new pictures. The notchs I understand are there to get to the bolt (on the anode itself) the little tabs that come down where the bolt goes, is broke on the side of my last picture, and the other side is well on its way to breaking. How much would this thing cost?

I'm probably going to buy a 4 blade aluminum prop to make sure I like the pitch, then replace it with SS... I'd rather waist $150 to find out I don't like the prop, than $300+...

Thanks!

mariah bob 11-16-2009 11:49 PM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
I believe painting them renders them useless.

WetWilly 11-17-2009 06:26 AM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
Mariah bob's right, painting the "Zinks" render them useless.

If you want to change them all, there's a kit on ebay (click here) for $37.50 + $5.60 for shipping or for just the Prop Anode, $6.00 + $7.00 for shipping, again on eBay (click here).

Beware of the differences between an Aluminum and SS prop of the same pitch. Aluminum props flex under load (like during take-offs) so they de-pitch slightly where as the SS prop wont flex or change pitch and may hurt the hole shot slightly. See if your marina has any test props you can try first.

Good luck,
WetWilly

95Z212 11-17-2009 07:52 PM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
Will do guys thanks... As for the anode's, its just paint mist. I didn't direcltly paint them... The picture is at a bad angle.

Rdrdon 11-20-2009 07:52 PM

Re: Found Alpha 1 Plate Broke....
 
I would clean the paint off really well with thinner & don't use a wire brush. It the anodes aren't working all sorts of weird problems start happening due to galvanic corrosion.


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