CM38 Cutless bearing

[jeffm]

Has anyone replaced the cutless bearing on an original Morgan 38? I'm assuming I'll have to drop the rudder to get it out, any advice on that process and rebuilding the rubber bearings also welcome.

 

[TonyM]

Hi Jeff,

I'm sorry. I don't have any helpful info regarding your question. I just wanted to in introduce myself as a fellow CM38 owner. Mine is hull #45, built in 1970. I do try to follow the forum and will try to respond if I am able to be helpful.

Welcome!

 

[jeffm]

Hey Tony, thanks for the welcome. I just bought hull 68, Blackbird. I'm fairly sure that the design of the cutless and rudder are different on the CM38 than the later 38x models, so hopefully someone with experience will chime in.

 

[bharney]

Hi Jeff, on my boat cm38 #56 my prop shaft is in two sections so I was able to remove the forward section and slide the aft section out inside the boat and remove the prop without dropping the rudder. I don't know if this arrangement was original
or done by the PO. Getting the cutlass bearing out can be difficult, I had to cut slots thru the rubber and brass shell by hand with a hacksaw blade and then use large vice grips on the protrusion to break the seal. Thankfully I've never had to drop the ruder.

 

[jeffm]

Thanks Bill. Were there set screws holding the bearing in, or was it just pressed?

 

[bharney]

it was pressed in, very tight fit, and two set screws pressing on dimples in the brass shell. Nigel Calder's book "Boatowners
Mech and Elect Manual" covers this well and most everything else on a sailboat, a great resource.

 

[Mike Nik]

Has anyone replaced the cutless bearing on an original Morgan 38? I'm assuming I'll have to drop the rudder to get it out, any advice on that process and rebuilding the rubber bearings also welcome.

I have replaced the cutless bearing in my 1979 Morgan 382 recently. I had to remove the rudder as there is only about 4 inches clearance between the end of the propeller shaft and the rudder. After I took off the engine coupler and vibration coupler I still did not have enough space to remove the propeller. I'll try to upload some pictures.

 

[Mike Nik]

Has anyone replaced the cutless bearing on an original Morgan 38? I'm assuming I'll have to drop the rudder to get it out, any advice on that process and rebuilding the rubber bearings also welcome.

Here are a couple of pictures. Removed the rudder and replaces the cutless bearing. Removed the two set screws with impact driver after soaking in penetrating fluid. then used vise grips and a hammer to remove old bearing. Let me know if you need more info on the cutless or R&R the rudder. BTW, should place the stuffing for the rudder at the same time...

 

[Mike Nik]

Has anyone replaced the cutless bearing on an original Morgan 38? I'm assuming I'll have to drop the rudder to get it out, any advice on that process and rebuilding the rubber bearings also welcome.

Pictures on removing rudder.

 

[Mike Nik]

Has anyone replaced the cutless bearing on an original Morgan 38? I'm assuming I'll have to drop the rudder to get it out, any advice on that process and rebuilding the rubber bearings also welcome.

Pictures on removing rudder.

after cutless and rudder installation...

 

[jeffm]

Thanks for all the info and pics Mike.

 

[Mike Nik]

it was pressed in, very tight fit, and two set screws pressing on dimples in the brass shell. Nigel Calder's book "Boatowners
Mech and Elect Manual" covers this well and most everything else on a sailboat, a great resource.

In my 1979 Morgan 382 the old cutless bearing was tapped for the two set screws. Probably not originally that way.
I did the same with the new cutless bearing and it worked well and is very secure. Just FYI.. Mike Nik...

 

[Ernest Ashley]

We had a sloppy cutlass bearing when we bought our '82 383. We had it replaced by moving the engine forward. Turns out besides the cutlass bearing we also replaced the engine mounts, head gasket, checked the transmission and replaced the prop shaft. The new prop shaft is slightly shorter so the rudder would not need to be removed if the cutlass bearing had to be replaced again. Cost me a bit but considering we motored a full three days delivering her to the new home port, I think it was worth every boat buck...and penny.

 

[Mike Nik]

We had a sloppy cutlass bearing when we bought our '82 383. We had it replaced by moving the engine forward. Turns out besides the cutlass bearing we also replaced the engine mounts, head gasket, checked the transmission and replaced the prop shaft. The new prop shaft is slightly shorter so the rudder would not need to be removed if the cutlass bearing had to be replaced again. Cost me a bit but considering we motored a full three days delivering her to the new home port, I think it was worth every boat buck...and penny.

Yeah, Not fun having to remove the rudder to replace the propeller or the cutless bearing. After you have done it once it is not so terrifying. I also replaced the shaft, dripless, vibration coupler, and shaft coupler. Oh yes and the rear engine mounts... Old couplers and shaft were shot from electrolysis. (keep those zincs fresh). Had to cut it off. See pics below.