Prop Dings

Ooop....... Yes Stock 351w

The data was taken 2.5 years ago so maybe I should do this again just for giggles to see if there has been any change after 100+ more hours have been put on the engine. A little chop is ideal for top end speed but didn't know that at the time I wrote the original post. Oh the things you learn from hanging round guys with fast boats.

TRBenj wrote: Tim, what do you get for WOT RPM's on your '88 with the 540? The more time I spend in the late 2001's (87-88), the more I think they need less prop. 542 may be the way to go for all around use. I wish I had one to try on the '87 thats currently at the dock... but I'll bolt up a 540 and get another data point.

Here's the thread I tossed up a few years ago just after I installed the prop.

WOW! Holy cow what a difference the 540 made on the boat. It's just as everyone has described here as the hole shot was incredible. The bow came up about half as much as it did with the Federal 13x13 and it was allot smoother. The boat seemed to handle more solidly and with just me and a 100lbs of weight on the observer side to balance it out she seemed to turn more solidly with less cavitation of the prop in high speed quick turns. I did (as expected) lose a little top end but it's rare that I throw the hammer down and run full throttle so that doesn't bother me. I did forget my notepad in the truck but took some snaps with my phone and recorded a few readings. It was money well spent and I too am looking forward to the first chance I have to ski and wakeboard behind her. Merry Christmas to me!
This is on a stock 350 with pointless ignition with 890 hrs on her using a GPS for velocity. Weather conditons weren't ideal with a little breeze blowing. The water wasn't glass but if I were skiing I would have been all over it.

2200 - 22.2mph
2400 - 25.4mph
2650 - 28.3mph
3200 - 34.8mph
3550 - 38.1mph
3800 - 40.3mph
4600 - 43.5mph

Buy a new prop. Have that old one repaired and keep as a spare.

+2 on the ACME 540 unless you're using it mainly for wakeboarding purposes then you should go with the 542. Less top end with the 542 but better hole shot when loaded down with ballast and peeps.

Do some research before you buy,4 blades are old technology, look at a Acme 540

My Grandpa has a 1989 SN 2001. For his birthday several years ago we bought him a new 4 bladed OJ prop. I like the OJ opposed to Acme, but either way, getting a 4 blade over a 3 will totally increase the pull out of the water. Made a huge difference on his, But I would buy a new prop, because not only are you fixing the issues the old one will cause, you are upgrading as well.

Welcome Troy. Others with more experence with your year and model will reply but here is your chance to just use that money for the repair toward a better new more modern prop. Delta prop is a site sponser and has a discount for us. Their add is in the left side column.