175 SHO Melting Hubs

[BrodyManley]

So, I’ve got a 175 SHO on a Xpress X19, I’ve tried a Merc Trophy Plus 4 blade on that boat and it will fly with it, but one problem I’ve been having is that it will melt the hubs when I go on a long run wide open. If your just cruising it won’t do it. Me and one other person had this problem, I’ve went through 2 hubs and he’s been through like 4. I was told it’s because there’s no cooling for the prop on these small block SHOs like they are for the big block 200+ SHOs. Anyone else had a similar problem? I’ve tried googling and researching it but have come up empty handed.

[McQuaig]

I'm not sure if the small blocks are the same, but one thing to check is the dummy torque tab. On the other SHO's, what used to be called a "torque tab" is now just a blanc (no fin) that also serves as an anode. On the leading edge of it is a small scoop that picks up water and pushes it back thru a channel in the lower unit and down in front of the prop to cool exhaust air. That water supposedly solved a melting problem they had when the SHO's were new. If yours has one, maybe it's plugged up??? just an idea...