Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a gear case, a propeller shaft extending in the gear case, an annulus of greater dimension than the propeller shaft and of material weight, and a ring of elastomeric material resiliently connecting the annulus to the propeller shaft is co-axial relation thereto so as to provide for rotation of the annulus in common with rotation of the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the propeller, the engine including an engine block, a crankshaft rotatably supported by the engine block and including a generally cylindrical main portion and a tapered end portion connected to the main portion and projecting from the engine block, a flywheel mounted on the tapered end portion of the crankshaft, and a bolt engaging the flywheel and the main portion of the crankshaft for securing the flywheel to the crankshaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an engine cooling system comprising a first wall in an engine block defining a coolant jacket including an upstream coolant jacket portion, a downstream coolant jacket portion, and a passage portion extending therebetween and including therein a valve seat, a second wall in the engine block defining a void opening into the exterior surface of the block and communicating with the coolant jacket in general alignment with the passage portion, a third wall in the engine block defining a recess opening into the exterior surface of the block and communicating with the void, a valve member having a flange with opposed first and second surfaces, which first surface engages the seat, a spring having a first end engaging the second flange surface and having a second end, a plug located in the void and having a surface engaging the second spring end, and an outer surface, and, a retainer located in the recess and engaging the outer plug surface to releasably retain the retainer in the recess and to r

Abstract: A single lever control for the throttle and clutch of a marine propulsion device including a housing pivotally supporting both a main control lever and an auxiliary warm-up lever, a throttle lever, and a gear shift lever. The throttle lever is alternately operable to regulate the setting of a remotely located engine throttle in response to movement of either the main control lever from a neutral position or the warm-up lever from an idle position. The gear shift lever is operable to shift an engine clutch in response to initial movement of the main control lever from the neutral position. A lock-out lever mounted inside the housing cooperates with a lock-out plate carried by the warm-up lever and with a recessed, arcuate surface on the gear shift lever to prevent movement of warm-up lever when the main control lever is displaced from the neutral position and to prevent movement of the main control lever when the warm-up lever is displaced from the idle position.

Abstract: A single lever control for the throttle and clutch of a marine propulsion device including a housing pivotally supporting both a main control lever and an auxiliary warm-up lever, a throttle lever, and a gear shift lever. The throttle lever is alternately operable to regulate the setting of a remotely located engine throttle in response to movement of either the main control lever from a neutral position or the warm-up lever from an idle position. The gear shift lever is operable to shift an engine clutch in response to initial movement of the main control lever from the neutral position. A lock-out lever mounted inside the housing cooperates with a lock-out plate carried by the warm-up lever and with a recessed, arcuate surface on the gear shift lever to prevent movement of warm-up lever when the main control lever is displaced from the neutral position and to prevent movement of the main control lever when the warm-up lever is displaced from the idle position.