The unfortunate lack of forward gear....

Dec 25, 2015
17
Catalina 30 Nashville Shores Marina
hello wise c30 team.

I have an 89 c30 with a m25xpb and a XF10M trans. When I first bought it 2 years ago the trans was decent but had a slight hesitation dropping into forward, by slight I mean a second or two before engaging. Reverse has never been an issue. Well now it takes a minute or so after shifting into forward before it engages. Once it engages its good for hours with no slipping. I have decided it's time to pull it and rebuild. I shouldn't be surprised by the cost of a boat part but $2500 for this tiny trans is beyond insane.

I have a several questions.
1. I have a dripless shaft seal and I only have the option of doing this in the water. Once I remove the engine and trans there will be no pressure on the bellows and water will bleed in uncontrolled. What do you recommend for keeping pressure on the dripless while the trans is out? I was thinking ratchet straps or something similar.

2. How many bolts hold the trans to the bell housing? I have removed 6 and can't feel anymore but the trans still feels solidly attached.

3. Is there somewhere else to get the rebuild manual for this trans that doesn't cost $75-100. I have rebuilt T56, powerglides, 4L60Es and T400s so this should be a walk in the park unless there is some magic sauce that only Keebler elves know to make this trans so magically expensive.

4. Based on what I described, does it sound like a forward clutch pack, thrust bearing or both?

5. Where is the best place to buy the parts? By best I don't meant least expensive. If the best is the least expensive then great.

Any other help would be much appreciated.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,103
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Have you considered asking on the C30 Yahoo group? I understand it is quite active and helpful. Good luck.
 
Apr 2, 2011
185
Catalina 27 Niceville, FL
Can you put it in gear manually at the transmission? 9 out of 10 times, it is a cable problem, not a tranny problem.
 
May 7, 2011
281
C - 30 # 3573 Lake NormanNC formerly Bflo NY
I have put the Hurth manuals on the C-34 techwiki site. Under "Manuals"

You are in TN, so I would talk to MarysvilleMarine re: parts -- they were an authorized ZF Hurth service facility. They probably still are.
marysvillemarine.com
Service may be done out of the MI (home) location. Call John Dillon in the MI location - tell him I sent you.

From what I've read, it seems most find it's less cost to replace than have an Hurth rebuilt. I can't say what parts only would run.

Ken Kloeber
Weekend'R Products
 
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Jun 29, 2011
142
Catalina 30 Mk II Gibsons
Hi Di;
I have recently replaced my Hurth transmission on my M25XP. (88 C30) Yes, it can be done with the boat in the water. The new trans from Italy, is 1.5 inches longer, than the original Hurth, sounds like you already have the Z10 replacement, so you may not have to back the shaft. to get re alignment I had to lift the engine some on the mounts, they did not release easily. There is a hidden bolt at the bottom of the bell housing, not visible, accessible with two extensions on your socket wrench. starter and heat exchanger have to be removed. I lifted the engine with 4X4 blocks over the cushion supports and a come along. Good luck.
 
Jun 19, 2004
365
Island Packet IP 32 99 Forked River, NJ
Anyway... judging by the symptoms described you need rebuild or replace. Call Jim at Federal Marine in Illinois. He can get factory original parts for you and you'll save a few boat bucks by doing the rebuild yourself. Not so difficult since you already know transmissions. You can download the rebuild book off the web for free and watch a few videos on YouTube.
Send me a PM... I have a PDF of the book.