Will a 68X36 wood prop

[o6maroon]

Will a 68X36 wood prop work with a 4.3 DD

 

[cowboy]

A 68” x 38 stick prop was considered a good prop for a 180hp A/C engine, and might be expected to tach out around 3k rpm static

If the prop is in solid condition, might give it a try and make sure to keep the max RPM
Below 3,000

 

[Slidin Gator]

A 68” x 38 stick prop was considered a good prop for a 180hp A/C engine, and might be expected to tach out around 3k rpm static

If the prop is in solid condition, might give it a try and make sure to keep the max RPM
Below 3,000

Cowboy,

Glad you came in with that info, I have no idea what the stick prop pitch numbers mean (side note, table anyone?).

But I do have non-airboat experience with the 4.3. When my son first got his drivers license, he was lucky enough to get a 1994 GMC 1500 with a 4.3, should be tame enough right?

When he wrecked that truck I deleted the old 250 inline powering my buggy and made upgrades to run a 4.3. Fast forward a couple years and he wrecked the 06 GMC with a 4.3 vortec (same side, same kinda tree, a cabbage tree) my first thought (after everyone alright?) was cool, the 94 4.3 is burning oil.

What I know about the 4.3 is that it is not a low-end torque monster. But they will make power if you friggin make em do it (aka turn them). Those 4.3 trucks would tow much more than they were rated because they were manual, who cares if you got 4th and 5th gear, 3rd gear works, let er eat. With no load they would make over 20 mpg.

The 180 Hp aviation engine is 360 in^3, roughly equivalent to a 350 SBC on displacement.
The 4.3L is 262 in^3, which is 3/4 of a O-360.

That 4.3 might be making 110 Hp at 3,000 in stock trim, could be pushed to ~130. The reason the 4.3 works in my buggy is because I have a 3-speed transfer case, aka GEAR. Those 4.3 engines love RPM, build a good valve train add a gear box and let er eat. Otherwise less pitch and diameter is advised.

 

[cowboy]

Good posting and knowledge on the 4.3 capabilities.

I like to a 68” x 40 on my 200 Lycoming

Sensenich had wood prop size to HP chart that used to be in their website for Wood Airboat Props

I could not locate it the other day when I when looking for it. If the OP is serious about getting a wood prop for that engine, Sensenich would the the ones I would call. They can
Probably get him lined up with a prop that will be close to what is needed