Propeller shaft came out of transmission

[BBC16385]

Re: Photos of engine without transmission

The outlook is that the transmission rebuild will be complete this week and Suprise will be returned to service this Saturday. I think that is a bit optimistic, but it does look like it will be no later than next week. That would be 30 days from failure to fix, which is not too bad.

 

[Mike Holibar]

BBC, good to hear of your progress. Could you let us know what the problem was, what parts were damaged and had to be replaced etc. I am sure there are a few of us who would be very intrested to know for future reference. Thanks,

 

[BBC16385]

Repairs are complete and Surprise is back in its slip at Stingray Point Marina. Transmission rebuilt and re-installed. Still no definitive answer as to what caused the seal to fail. I suspect it was years of running out of alignment years ago (before we started paying closer attendtion to such things).

 

[BBC16385]

Took Surprise out for a test drive Monday afternoon. Strangly, the boat is faster under power than before the transmission failure. I'm not complaining. But it is .4 to .5 kts faster at the same engine rpms. 2500 rpm is now 6.5 kts. Used to be 6.0. 2900 is 7.8 to 8.0. Used to be 7.5 to 7.7. 3100 is 8.0 to 8.2. Used to be 7.8. I thought maybe the rebuilt installed a different gear ratio. But it is the same ratio as before.

Maybe if I understood how transmissions worked I would understand why a new transmission would have less "slip" than a 12 year old transmission.

 

[petersea]

Your alignment may have been a long term issue and another possibility could be if a slide hammer was ever used to remove the prop shaft it puts a lot of stress on trans tail shaft bearing. Your increased performance is nice bonus but a little puzzling because I would think you would have noticed the trans slipping before shaft pulled out. Good news is your rebuild should be good for a very long time !

 

[kloudie1]

Since the “drive” through the transmission is totally dependant on the cone clutches, or plate clutches, which are very position sensitive, the transmission was probably slipping because the clutch engagement lever was no longer in the correct place.. Would have turned the transmission oil pretty black with wear particles..