Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Hello all....
Bought a nice set of props from ebay. I also bought the new nut kit with washers and the prop wrench for Bravo 3's.......
Planning on installing them this week sometime but need some advice. My main concern is the prop being stuck on the shaft after I remove the nut. I've seen videos on youtube with people using pullers.... Are they cheap to buy or can I rent one....
Also was wondering how to lock the props when installing to torque the nuts down. Any info is appreciated......This will be my first prop swap..,

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

I've never had an issue removing the propellers, they usually just slide right off. Worst case a slight tap with a piece of wood and a hammer. Propeller pullers are usually only required to remove props from tapered shafts that you would typically find on an inboard powered boat.
To lock the prop while removing and installing, place a piece of wood beteen the tip of the propeller blade and the anti-cavitation plate on the outdrive. Make sure you lubricate the splines with Merc Spline grease before installing your new propeller set, torque the big nut to 100 ft-lbs and the small nut to 60 ft-lbs.

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Thank you.

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Do you worry about "timing" of the props, Steve?

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Hello Dred......
Can you explain. I was actually about to swap them out....

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Some people say that how they line up matters, other people say it doesn't matter. I would definitely respect whatever Steve says.
The people that say to "time" them say that a blade on one prop should be straight up while a blade on the other prop is straight down. The problem with this from my experience is that since the blades are so wide it's hard to be very accurate. You can be a few splines off and one still appears up while the other appears down... if that makes sense.

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

There is no mention of how to align the propellers in the Mercruiser Bravo 3 service manual. That being said I usually install the large front propeller with the blades in the shape of a Y as I look at them from the rear. I then place the smaller rear propeller like an upside down Y. Seems to work for me.

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Thanks for the reply's but I'm in trouble ........went to the boat parked at my sisters house and the drive oil was coming out the drain plug hole.....opened her up and drive oil reservoir was empty...Stuck my head in there and there's drive oil under the drive shaft(guessing). Thinking it's the fitting that inserts into transom assembly. I'll post some pics and start a new thread. Thanks again:confused:

Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

I really hope that you do not need to replace that fitting, it is very difficult to access on my boat. I replaced it and everything else on the transom assy a few years ago. I actually pulled the motor to get access to that fitting. I'm not as young and limber as I used to be. Hopefully it is just the hose.


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Re: Bravo 3 prop swap questions
 

Hope so too....I can't even see the fitting....it has a huge water pipe and fitting above where it is blocking it......at this point I'm just going to give up and take it to my local mercruiser shop......I went in today and he said it would be a 2-3 hour job at $110 a hour.......Is that a normal rate? Thanks again HR Steve..