Next question...transmissions

[Roger Stouff]

You have all been helpful and kind in the planning stages for my next project (classic mahog runabout), thank you.

Now, next question: Marine transmissions for a V-6 or at most smallblock V-8...I see Glen-L has V-Drive for about $2,000. Good? Bad?

How about used/rebuilt?

Thanks again in advance...

R

[paladin]

Roger....a suggestion.....
If you don't need reverse......get an issue of Kit Planes...Buick V6 to 2250 rpm at full throttle and add the additional gear to get whatever you need rpm wise at the wheel....use small horsepower outboard to back up..

That's the way the drug runners do it in the Philippines....3 each 2250 Hp straight ahead drives and a 40 hp mercury to back outta the slip.
Phlip choppers can't catchem.

[Roger Stouff]

Good thought! But I won't be running drugs, so... :D

Seriously, though, I'll need reverse. Especially for backing off all those sandbars! :cool:

[brad9798]

First off, get the small block v8 ... :eek: !

Secondly, there are many, many good engine/tranny rebuilders and refurbishers for boats ...

Do a search ... Hundley Classic boats, in Texas, has plenty of vintage stuff that would be of interest ... 283 and 327 blocks.

Or, check out the ACBS site ... Antique CC club, or others.

There are many old/rebuilt paragons out there ...

[Paul Pless]

I gotta second Brad's suggestion. The V8 is a must. It cost no more than an additional 10% to build an equivalent horsepower V8 vs a V6. And for your application the low rumble of a V8 is part of the overall pachage.

That being said, I don't know jack about V-drive transmissions.

[mmd]

Employ the KISS principle, Roger. Don't make it more complicated unless there is no other option. As for rebuilds, yes, by all means. In your geographic location of being so near the bellybutton of the boating universe (south Florida) you should be able to buy a used, rebuilt inboard motor & transmission at about 1/2 to 1/3 of full retail, and shipping will be quite low. Check rebuilder for reputation and warranty. People are always taking out the original motor and stuffing way too much back in, and the discarded motors are often very low hours. Size will depend on the boat you want - vee-sixes run up to around 250 hp, vee-eights start at around 175. Personally, I'd stick to name-brand, common combinations (e.g., Mercruiser 5.0 litre coupled to a TwinDisc gearbox) for proven reliability and availability of parts. Also, a down-angle transmission (very common) will allow for a better motor installation and lower engine height in the hull.

[mmd]

Reliable engine, but power-to-weigh ratio is a bit too low for this aplication. Best to stick to gasoline engines like this cute little 600hp model (runs on pump gas, too!):

http://www.bakerengineeringinc.com/images/PEgraphics/offshore/Big-Blue-outlined.gif

[Elco's]

The best tranny is an old 1:1 mechanical shift paragon. It will lock into forward...thus everybody used them for race boats (they wouldn't come out of gear under tremendous loads) making them rarer and harder to find...but worth the effort. Small block Chevy. MILLIONS made, lots of after market parts and every motorhead knows them. V-drives....find a "Walter gear" that is geared to the reduction you want.

[ 07-30-2004, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Elco's ]

[Roger Stouff]

Originally posted by mmd:
Reliable engine, but power-to-weigh ratio is a bit too low for this aplication. Best to stick to gasoline engines like this cute little 600hp model (runs on pump gas, too!):

http://www.bakerengineeringinc.com/images/PEgraphics/offshore/Big-Blue-outlined.gif:eek:

Michael! Ya trying to kill me, cuz? smile.gif

[mmd]

Sorry, Rodger. What was I thinking? I realize that with an under-powered boat you can get in trouble by not being able to get up on plane and outta there when that big ol' croc come nipping at your heels. You really need the 1,500 hp engine for your boat:

http://www.boostpower.com/images/3_2004/bpr1000.gif

[Roger Stouff]

Hrmph. Get out the pencil and start designing me a mahogany runabout that can handle it, and we're off!

[ohiomike]

hi in your area you should check local marinas..

as they scrap out older woodies, they tend to keep the engine and trans together when they pull them out.

plenty of chris craft 185hp 283s and 210hp 327s with paragon 1 to 1 and 1 to 1.5 ratio trans out there..

those paragons are almost bullet proof (just keep them full of fluid)..

im new to wood boat repair, but been turning wrenches on them for more then a few years.

good luck

ohiomike

[Ross M]

For 2k you can get this transmission with a complete marinized 350 attached! Ebay Chris Craft Engine (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485425221&category=50442h)

Note this has the flywheel forward/distributor aft thing going on - very cool for low cg and hatch height...

Ross

[Roger Stouff]

Thank you kindly for the pointers. But I'm going to build the engine myself. I can get a smallblock V-8 for cheap and I know how to rebuild one. A few hundred and she's set up.

It's just that I'm unfamiliar with marine transmissions completely. But thanks to all the kind replies, I'm getting a handle on it!

Thanks again.

[sdowney717]

I rebuilt my Velvet drive with 2.91 reduction.
They are simple transmissions
An oil pump in front with a reversing clutch and a forward clutch.
If you know how to rebuild an engine, you can work on a velvet drive.
Anyone know if Synthetic ATF is better in a marine tranny?
When I switched to Mobil 1, I had to lower the idle, RPM's had increased due to less friction I suppose.

[sdowney717]

www.basicpower.com (http://www.basicpower.com) has all types of parts and rebuilding kits.

[NormMessinger]

I think I'm seeing wheelies around offensive bass boats in Rogers future. Ah, revenge is a wonderful thing. :D