Installing zirk fittings in Max Prop

[lancelot9898]

I have a 30 year old 3 bladed Max Prop that I installed in 1985. Over the years, I applied grease by taking the thing apart at each haul out, but now I want to avoid the disassembly and just use zirk fittings. Has anyone done this modification to their max prop and if so any advice for location of the fittings, etc.? I've yet to hear from PYI and suppose they are busy this week at the boat show in Annapolis?

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by lancelot9898

I have a 30 year old 3 bladed Max Prop that I installed in 1985. Over the years, I applied grease by taking the thing apart at each haul out, but now I want to avoid the disassembly and just use zirk fittings. Has anyone done this modification to their max prop and if so any advice for location of the fittings, etc.? I've yet to hear from PYI and suppose they are busy this week at the boat show in Annapolis?

I used their kit to add zerc fittings to my maxprop:
-- PYI Inc. Max-Prop PSS Shaft Seal Seaview Radar Mounts R&D --

[lancelot9898]

Thanks....I could not find that kit going directly to their website. I did find a maintenance kit which included the zirc fittings, plugs, grease and grease gun, but not the tap and die set that apparently this kit incudes. Did that kit tell where to drill for the fittings?

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by lancelot9898

...Did that kit tell where to drill for the fittings?

yes it did, a drawing of some kind was included.

[Sailor647]

Our three blade Max Prop is 27 years old and did not have the zerks either. Since we were going cruising and didn't want any trouble, we sent it to PYI for a complete rebuild and asked them to install the zerks at the same time.

For around $700, the prop came back looking like new. Shiny brass and all. They replaced some worn gears and parts and straightened out a blade that was very, very slightly bent. We couldn't tell what was worn or by how much through visual inspection. And we didn't have OEM measurements. The prop works fantastic and is better balanced than before we sent it to them. And we can grease it underwater. (Be very careful installing installing the zerk fittings - don't drop them. A dive light helps.)

Very glad with our decision to have them do it. (They do this every day...)

The folks at PYI were really great to deal with and their turn around time was about 7 days. Highly recommend.

You can see photos of the prop before and after on our Facebook page.

[exMaggieDrum]

It has been a few years but seems to me that I fitted my zerks in to holes already on my MaxProp. But however you do to make sure you use stainless zerks and put some anti-corrosion on the threads - like Lanocote or Tef-gel. Having the zerks is great.

[Terra Nova]

Pretty sure they instruct you to replace the setscrews with Zerks, only to lube, then replace the setscrews.

[jamhass]

We have a zirc under the zinc on our MaxProp. Since it is always installed, there is no risk of dropping parts underwater, and it is easy to give a pump or two of grease anytime the zinc is changed. The prop was just reconditioned and Jason (?) the tech at PYI noted that was one of his favorite mods.