So i first assembled the Backwater on the middle hole position. I need to move it forward one hole. Taking off the through bolt is easy but the two end sleeve bearings are not. Any suggestions?

Once you get the through bolt out, tap the sleeves out from the inside with a screwdriver.


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Thank you, Stu! I will try that. Sometimes the summer heat prevents one from thinking logically. I am humbled, my wife installed both a new toilet and vanity in the bath for Father's Day. I think it is time for a run in the marsh.

So I got one brass sleeve bushing off, but both got damaged. Fairly soft material. I left Jake at BW a message. It is a 3/4" inside diameter bushing,the cap flange is 1 1/8". Going to get two pair for just in case. Are these found at any local supplier that you know of? BW will take a few days shipping and I can't run the motor like this. I had to pry them off, could not see to do it any other way. Dang!

Couldn't put an appropriate size socket against them and tap them out that way? Less likely to mash anything up.

Problem is, unless I am missing something, is that the brass sleeve bearing presses in to both the motor bracket hole and the mount bolt spindle- once you pry the sleeve back, and then raise the motor to give you clearance, then you can tap it out- wish I had a motor lift. The brass sleeve bearing are fairly soft. I went to Grainger's and they had all kinds except that size- of course! I will phone Jake and order some and ask about the disassembly- I can't be the only one with a versa mount or that has had to meet this issue?
One of the sleeves is somewhat serviceable, will try and put that and the bolt in temporarily so the dang motor won't fall off! As has been noted before, the BW is somewhat back-weighted compared to GD or MB, and I have to make a greater effort when I have to push down the handle to clear the prop or plate with weeds, that is why I have to put it on the rear hole position.

Sorry that happened Glades. Mine aren't that snug. I can usually get them out by hand after I get the through bolt off. That being said, I've changed the motor mount position a few times so the bushing might be broken in.


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Stu, thanks, versa mount must be a tighter fit than the clamp on style.

Gotcha


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Spoke with Jake this morning! Great customer service! The new set of brass bushings are on the way. He also gave me some good suggestions how not to mess up the new pair. Nephew came by and we temporarily put the throught bolt on so the motor does not fall off! Can't wait to get out in the marsh again! Water level is slowly rising. Got some new magnum sized tanglefree ringer decoys in- pretty darn good, even though they are Chinese ( used to be Italian! ), paint a little chalky but even my good old G&H required re-painting now and then. These new ones have internal PFD's!, the bigger size is for my slowly diminishing vision and to provide a better visualization for the incoming Canadian aythya collaris.

Lest I appear a mere ninny, Jake agreed the bushings were a tight fit- he says he uses a 3/4" bolt thread and works it around the flange of the bushing to ease it out. Honestly, I softly but firmly tried prying around with a flat blade screwdriver, but the flange easily chipped. Since they are soft material, any compression by pulling or squeezing on the flange can mess up the interior surface and roundness, so that you would have to ream it round...I have to believe (did not ask Jake) that the majority of BW units out there have the clamp on style mount, and that there fit is less snug- that, or previous brass/bronze sleeve bearings were made of stouter material. I will put some anti-seize grease on the new ones just in case.

Good info Glades. Get that thing back together and run it. Was at Lake O last night for frogs. Saw quite a few small ones and managed a few keepers.


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Frog legs are tremendous, enjoy! Today I'm barbwcuing chorizo and rib eyes!

thrust collar bushings are fairly common. I should think most bering houses commonly carry them.

Mark F. Cheney

I went to Graingers and they had every size but that one, and anything shorter or longer would not work. Glad I am doing this now and not during duck season.

FWIW, on my first Backwater motor, which Huck has owned for a while now, I adjusted the mounting hole to the one furthest back and then changed it back to the middle hole because I didn't like it. Can't remember why.

The balance point is a preference, and pushing down to raise the prop is the only chore right now, and that is with inboard style versa mount. I hope the 1.5" change will help a little, and not lose speed. Apart from this detail, the Swomp is great.

I changed mine for the balance point too. Still went back to the way the motor was shipped. YMMV.

Glades,

There are much better bearing houses than Grainger. There are bushing houses that specialize in brass and bronze bushings only.

All the other outlets are a day away, will definitely keep some spares.

Finally got the bushings on and now I can raise the prop and have it stay level without sliding back, this really helps when you're reversing with push pole, and it is less of an effort. I am going with the 9x6 prop but I think I've found the "sweet spot"! Love this motor!