Damn rocks

The easy way to find out if it's a cable issue would be to disconnect the cable at the transmission shift lever and try shifting from forward or reverse into neutral using the shift lever on the transmission and see what that tells you

Assuming it was working fine before impact....then impact, now doesn't work......I'm taking a wild guess that the impact caused it.    ;- )

Follow the suggestion: disconnect the shift control cable at the transmission, then shift "manually" by moving the lever itself, thereby eliminating the cable altogether.

My guess, unfortunately, is that the sudden impact caused internal damage....

Sorry for the delayed reply.   Didn't have time to get to this till today.   

No, the engine didn't shut off.   I immediately put it in neutral on impact for a "WTF moment".    Then back into forward, and it went just fine, though with a lot of vibration as the prop got chewed up.

Today, I got back at it, and disconnected the shaft (sorry for lack of proper vocabulary) so I wasn't turning the prop dry.   In neutral it does rotate slightly, but I was told by SkiDim that if it can be stopped by hand (or a piece of wood), then it's okay..   Though rotating, it easily stopped, so I figured (hoped) it was okay, and decided to take the boat out to see what it did in water.   Off the bat, the prop wouldn't engage in reverse, but worked forward.   Trolled about as bit thinking I'd see if it would go into neutral and reverse.    Went into reverse, and neutral, but not forward.   Finally got forward back, and lost reverse.    Fun docking like this, but I managed. After all this, I have to think you're spot on that it's the clutch pack.

Ordered the transmission overhaul kit from SkiDim, and looking for an inboard boat repair.   Which brings me too... just how hard is the rebuild?   I've done it on cars (66 mustang), but is a boat transmission (Velvet Drive 1:1) repair recommended for pros only?

Thanks in advance!

So it sounds like your transmission works in Forward, works in Neutral and works in Reverse just not all 3 when they're supposed to. They all take turns working per your description.

It's possessed and has a mind of it's own   

Did you try the suggestion to disconnect the cable and shift it locally at the transmission?

It takes about a minute or 2 to check.

Then after that you can decide it's broken internally

If you've gotten a C4 back together right, you should be able to get this back together right
The trick is identifying all the damage

Or one could hand it off to FF and be assured it will be turnkey

8122pbrainard wrote: Eric, It's always a good idea to ask here first before ordering parts. There are less expensive (30%) alternates for the same.

You only think it's the same Pete

It's missing some pieces that come in the SkiDim kit, but you can find the same Alto kit that SkiDim sells for around 160 at Ebasicpower

A little research will tell you the difference

Or buying the less complete one like I once did, also tells you the difference.

8122pbrainard - Interesting RE the damper plate. I just realized that I have a Marine engine/trans shop in my town (which is REALLY random) and they specialize in Velvet Drive transmission rebuilds. I think I'm going to do it myself to save the $700, but I wonder if they can look at the damper plate once removed, and tell me if bad or not.   

whoops. 8122pbrainard = Pete.   Sorry about that.

Thanks Pete.

Eric,
Are you getting any unusual noises?

This may be some help- Velvet drive rebuild

KENO wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Eric, It's always a good idea to ask here first before ordering parts. There are less expensive (30%) alternates for the same. You only think it's the same Pete It's missing some pieces that come in the SkiDim kit, but you can find the same Alto kit that SkiDim sells for around 160 at Ebasicpower A little research will tell you the difference Or buying the less complete one like I once did, also tells you the difference.

So Pete

Did you just blow this off and decide to ignore the error in your ways ?

I'll assume you did, so I'll post a link to the more complete kit that includes the steel and the bronze clutch plates so that all the clutch plates can be replaced.

You should educate yourself on what a banner kit is

For the next guy who might be wondering, here's the link

link

@baitkiller
Part 1, no.
Part 2, hmmm.


@Pete -
I hear you on adjusting the cable, and had done so. When it died in the water, we tossed back the engine cover, disconnected and tried to do it manually at the trans.   N0 go there either.

Appreciate the advice, and will file it away as it's super thorough, but I'm putting money on the rebuild. Kitchen table or not.

Winging it sounds like a bad idea. No, I chatted up a few shops, and am doing with someone who's done many auto transmissions in the past. I've found a schematic,. and will keep digging pre doing the job for sure, but it doesn't look much more difficult than a C4 transmission, but looks can be deceiving.

Do you have something to share?;)

You can find later versions of the manual on line also.

One other little thing....................count the number of clutch plates you take out and put the same number back in otherwise it'll be all bound up and constipated

That applies to the forward and also the reverse clutches.

The kit has more plates than you'll need.

edamario wrote: Winging it sounds like a bad idea. No, I chatted up a few shops, and am doing with someone who's done many auto transmissions in the past. I've found a schematic,. and will keep digging pre doing the job for sure, but it doesn't look much more difficult than a C4 transmission, but looks can be deceiving. Do you have something to share?;)

Whats wrong with the link I shared ??