ORIGINAL: tacx
Summerwind...
All good info, but you are referring to checking the engine drive washer and shaft. I think we are mostly discussing the prop. If you have a prop that has a rear hub surface that is not perfectly parallel to the prop blades then that prop is not going to track correctly. The only way one can check a prop for tracking is to use a prop. I understand the fact that if the crank or drive washer is out of wack this would cause a tracking problem,but most guys don't have the proper equipment to check the precise measurements of an engines components.
checking prop tracking is a moot point if you don't know for sure that the drive washer is square to the crankshaft.
so saying that the only way to check a prop for tracking is to use a prop is not true............there are a couple other ways to check a prop for tracking and truing one up as well, but it is not by mounting it to the engine's crank and then going after it.
good observation tho..................but myself and probably a few other racers will prove you wrong...................
at the very least, and this is good ol common sense, the drive washer needs to be checked with a known straight edge that is true..............only then can you check a prop for tracking as you describe. your idea is only going to induce more inaccuracy than it will good.