Back in the propellers column I mentioned that used propellers can often be found at swap meets and flea markets but that it can sometimes be difficult to identify exactly which outboards they fit. Outboard props, unlike inboard props, are rarely marked with diameter and pitch, and are never marked with which outboards they fit. Both OEM and aftermarket propellers are usually marked with only a part number.
The most commmonly seen aftermarket props are made by Michigan Wheel Corp. In fact, one will usually see more Michigans than OMC props. Since before World War II Michigan Wheel has published catalogs of their outboard motor propellers and copies of these catalogs are usually not too difficult to get. The problem is the way the catalogs are arranged; one looks up the model engine and then is presented with the part numbers of the props that fit that engine. However, there is no "reverse" directory which allows one to look up a specific prop number to see which engines it fits. If one finds a likely looking prop at a swap meet, the drill is to scan the columns of prop part numbers in the catalogs (which numbers are not issued in any apparent logical order) to see if by chance you can locate the prop and reference which engines it fits. I have personally telephoned Michigan Wheel and have verified that there is no reverse directory available. So for years I have scanned the columns of prop numbers to identify what prop I had in my hand.
My buddy Arnold, a fellow outboard collector and retired computer guy, was a little more ambitious. Utilizing a spreadsheet program and the old Michigan Wheel catalogs, Arnold has created a reverse directory which allows one to look up props by their part numbers, which usually consist of 2 or 3 letters and 3 numbers ( AB123, ABC 123, etc.). Arnold's guide covers Michigan props for all brands of outboards, not just the old OMC engines I hold so dear.
For the guy who goes prop hunting at outboard motor swap meets, Arnold's propeller guide can be an invaluable resource, and he is printing and selling copies of it in two flavors. One can buy the reverse directory, with the props arranged in alpha-numeric order; or one can buy a prop guide organized by motor model.
In the interest of full disclosure I should mention that Arnold is paying me $50,000.00 cash to promote his book. And if you believe that, I also have a good used car I would like to sell you. Actually, I have no financial interest in the book. I have known Arnold for over 10 years and he is an honest person and a heck of a nice guy and he has created a very useful reference for those of us who are either too darn cheap to buy new propellers for our old outboards, or who own an old outboard for which no new props are available.
