Alternative grease for prop shaft and cable???

[grsboats]

This topic was well discussed at another forum years ago and seems that grease is still popular but personally running only saw I prefer oil ...still have some Prather grease bottles that I use eventually on my oval boats.Gill

[Fluid]

I'm with Gill, I gave up on grease years ago. I have never worn out a brass stuffing tube (no liner) or a flex cable using oil instead. Currently I use 75-90WT automotive gear oil with an EP additive. Very low drag for SAW use, low heat, lasts plenty long enough for any oval race, up to at least three heats.


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[T.S.Davis]

On my SV I use an oil concoction I mixed up. I can't even remember what's in there. I don't run that boat often enough to ever have to make more in my lifetime.

[Brushless55]

I'm with Gill, I gave up on grease years ago. I have never worn out a brass stuffing tube (no liner) or a flex cable using oil instead. Currently I use 75-90WT automotive gear oil with an EP additive. Very low drag for SAW use, low heat, lasts plenty long enough for any oval race, up to at least three heats.


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I might have to try some gear oil ...

[tlandauer]

The Gear oil with EP additive is a great way to fight friction and heat, I followed Fluid's recommendation a couple of years ago. I use Sta-Lube Heavy Duty-Hypoid Gear Oil rated SAE 85W140.
When I didn't know any better ( still I don't ) , I posted a question regarding heat build up on my Lizard Xtreme's stinger floating bushing ( Speed Master). I was doing bench testing with no longer than 5 seconds of 1/2 throttle at the most. I can feel the stinger gets warm ( actually hot) quickly with grease applied! But I was very puzzled by that as I have no binding or bad alignment of any kind.
The heat issue was almost gone after I use the above mentioned Gear Oil.
I mentioned this to point out that with the EP additive, the gear oil is really great. I admit that it was a silly concern since the stinger is in the water and it can't get to a point where heat would have damaging effect.

[ron1950]

are you guy using that much grease that u need to buy a pound or so at a time? ive used the same tube of pb grease for 3 years now and at least half a tube left....just wondering...

someone told me they use marvel mystery oil in all there boats and none really knows whats in that stuff lol

[tlandauer]

I still have the first tube of PB grease and the first jar of Grim, I am just curious as to what alternatives are out there and also I like a taller container for the grease so I dip the entire cable and it is much cleaner and quicker to lube.
I use different methods and lubricants for different set ups. May be it is much to do about nothing, but it does give me a false sense of self importance.

[littlepooper206]

hello sir

i had noticed you in my state and was wondering what part of Washington you are in maybe were in somewhat the same area!! i am in Redmond area i think it would be really cool if i could me up with other boats to just for some friendly smash around with !!

1)mini mono
2)smash shark
3)black jack

E=Mc2

[robbo1]

Do all you guys who run gear oil just smear it onto the cable, or do you run some sort of oil can that constantly feeds the cable. Will oil work well with the Teflon liner?

[Chrissharp]

I have been using skill saw gear oil, hasn't let me down in my boats or on the jobsite. It even comes in a nice squeeze container. Seems to be simpler and cleaner than the moly grease I used to run in my gas boat.

[tlandauer]

Do all you guys who run gear oil just smear it onto the cable, or do you run some sort of oil can that constantly feeds the cable. Will oil work well with the Teflon liner?

I use heavy gear oil, and yes, I smear it onto the cable, but for me it is the property of this kind of oil for metal to metal contact that interests me. So on those boats that have no teflon liners and especially at the stub shaft bushings that I use it for.
Indeed people will sometimes add a little fitting at the collet end of the stuffing tube and either attach a little oil resevoir or a tube and then a little can attached to it. Recently AeroMarine came out with a little "invention " for that: http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...-Tube-Seal-250
Oil will work with the Teflon liner, one of the purposes which people put thick oil and grease on that section of the cable is to block water from entering the hull thruough the stuffing tube. Here is the interesting thing: water is the best lubricant on Teflon liner, if that isn't the case, I would have been in trouble. After most runs that section is only coated with thin ( if any is still left at all ) oil/grease and wet with water. The bushing area is doing no better: grease /heavy oil mixed with water. The immersion of the stub shaft in water gives a constant supply of this "lubricant"---water that is, this is important since water has a low boiling point and if it evaporates then you know the picture...
Keep in mind this is my experience and I do not run SAW set up with extreme RPM, those guys will have different experience and conclution I am sure.

[johnl6676]

I have been a sport boater for over 35 years started with nitro and now all FE. I have always used a small amount of pro boat grease from the tube to lube my shafts. I use some shafts with Teflon but most without and never had a problem. I think its more personal preference and really doesn't matter as long as it is lubricated. Whatever makes you feel good about what you are doing will work, again as long as it is lubricated. Gear oil will surely work however I can't stand the smell it is awful, and gets on everything. LOL. (I am a retired automotive technician with over 50 years experience).

[rayzerdesigns]

So what is the ep additive

[Shooter]

If you use a PTFE liner, water is a great alternative to grease, there are not many known materials with less friction than water lubricated PTFE.

I completely agree.

I'm probably just ignorant, but I've never understood the thick grease/high rpm thing. I've been running PTFE liners and thin oil for years now. When set-up correctly, they work great. It's low friction and very forgiving....even if you forget to lube! Can't say that about a 0.187 flex sitting in 1/4" brass tube!!! It will GROWL at you!!! :)

Sorry OP. I'm just muddying the water here (but not with my lube!).

[tlandauer]

I have been a sport boater for over 35 years started with nitro and now all FE. I have always used a small amount of pro boat grease from the tube to lube my shafts. I use some shafts with Teflon but most without and never had a problem. I think its more personal preference and really doesn't matter as long as it is lubricated. Whatever makes you feel good about what you are doing will work, again as long as it is lubricated. Gear oil will surely work however I can't stand the smell it is awful, and gets on everything. LOL. (I am a retired automotive technician with over 50 years experience).

That is funny, I don't mind that at all. Also don't mind the lithium grease smell!