Cutless Bearing to cut or not to cut

[jfkal]

Changing a cutless bearing. The bearing is about 2 " longer than its P-bracket housing. Any benefits not cutting it but letting it stick out to one side (towards the engine, not the prop).

THx

 

[SHUG]

You could leave it but equally I can't see a reason not to cut it to length.

 

[Talulah]

Leave it. Reduced wear with the longer bearing as any side load is spread over bigger area.

 

[scottie]

Leave it

There is ratio length to dia 4:1 taking 2" off would be a lot also ratio for prop overhang is normally 1-1 1/2 :1 times shaft diameter possibly more critical with p bracket just make sure you have room for any rope cutter or shaft anode.

 

[Tranona]

That is very odd. Bearing housings are usually made to be 4*diameter of the shaft in length. So a 1" shaft has a 4" long bearing, and the cutless are made to this length. so cutting off 2" means losing half the bearing (if a 1" shaft).

 

[Neil_Y]

I agree with Tranoma, 4:1 is the standard ratio, and really a minimum unless the shaft is very short or has multiple short bearings along its lenghth.

The excess bearing sticking out will not be doing much as it is not supported by a rigid bearing carrier.