Sure, on my outboard if it is in forward, with the motor not running,
the prop will spin clockwise but not counter-clockwise. There is a one
way clutch in the gear box that causes this to happen. Now when the
motor is running in forward gear the gearbox will turn the propeller
to move the boat forward. But, if the prop hits something it will stop
turning but the motor and the gearbox are protected because the one
way clutch will allow them to spin freely.
My outboard is a 1985 25 hp Mariner so this might be unique to them. I
do not know. It also does not have a shear pin because the clutch will
allow everything to turn free.
I can tell you first hand that this work well because I had a rock
stuck between the prop blade and the cavitation plate the motor would
rev up and the boat would not go anywhere until I got that rock out.


Paul


"Clams Canino" wrote in message news:HaDdb.613735$o%2.286517@sccrnsc02...
Can you explain *exactly* how this "protection" works?

-W

"Paul Dougherty" wrote in message
om...
Careful the prop is supposed to spin freely in one direction when the
selector is in forward. it protects the prop if you hit something.

Paul


(Brian Silver) wrote in message
. com...
Hi,

I am new to boating and screwed up my lower unit.
I think I stripped the gears because at one position the prop will
rotate
freely while in gear (forward).
I removed the 5 bolts below the anticavitation plate and the lower unit
has dropped an inch but is being held by the shifting linkage rod.
Am I looking for trouble or can I remove the lower unit easily.
I think the shifting rod can be freed up from under the carburator(s)
Would I then slide the whole rod out?
Would I mess up the shifting setup?
I have all winter to work on this and so far it has been interesting,
Thanks for the responses in advance,

Brian Silver, Little Long Lake, Ontario, Canada.