Transmission replacement

Ya, think I'll give it another go. I need to take the starboard front motor mount off and free it up better. Don't know why they didn't design it like the up and down, threaded adjustment. Cranking, pouinding, prying the entire engine laterally is not very precise.

lison wrote: Got it down to .003 - .004 .003 for all that is a stretch. I wonder what it was before I pulled it apart, and if it lead to the tranny breaking down.

I'd keep going at it. You're on the high side especially the .004" It's not hard to get it down to .000 - it just takes time and some playing around.

lison wrote: Had to drop the transmission a little, but biggest issue was moving the front of the motor to the starboard side. One side didn't want to move. In hindsight, should have freed up those motor mounts when I had a better chance. Glad I'd sprayed them with penetrating fluid. Two and a half hours later, within tolerances and on the water, running sweet. No noticeable vibrations or issues. Thanks for the advice. I'll edit the install list for the next Correct Craft owner needing some help. -Luther

Did you get it down to less than .003" between the flanges? If so, fantastic!!!

Thanks much. Will do things right. Everything set to go. Got feeler gauges,tools, ATF (would only take a qt. initially).Reading up one more time on adjustment procedure.

[QUOTE=lison] Ah yes. Now I remember rebuilding the Hodaka and Bultaco clutches.
QUOTE]

Showing your age

That's right. I remember a story somebody told once, maybe Eric. If you put synthethic in your hands there would never be any friction. I guess is the same for a clutch, withouth friction it won't work. Sounds like marine transmission are like a motorcycle with a wet clutch. The friction is needed in the transmission.

Dexron Mercon III or Dex Merc V?
There's a ton of info out there on ATF. Should probably be a separate topic, but why can't we use synthetic on the old Velvet Drive Warner transmissions?

Valvoline Dex/Merc is what these guys suggested to the best of my knowledge.

Got the Velvet Drive back yesterday and getting ready to put things back together. This is what I think I need to do. Am i missing anything?

Trim damper plate and install. Only had to trim quarter inch
Install bell housing. Grease splines of tranny and damper.
Drop in tranny and rotate trans output until splines align. Tighten everything down.
Replace transmission mounts
Install rebuilt starter
Hook up clean fluid lines to clean cooler, leaving one loose
Fill transmission with Type Dex Merc III ATF. Tighten loose fluid line.
Hook up new water hoses to cooler, linkage, neutral switch.
Loosen front and rear engine mount locking nuts
Align prop shaft as close as possible and put in one bolt
Remove and replace prop with rebuilt
Replace packing in prop shaft
Put boat in water and do final adjustment within .003
Start engine. Put transmission in forward and reverse at idle.
Recheck fluid level and fill as necessary.
Restart and test transmission.
Recheck alignment
Check and adjust packing.
Get in boat/ski time before big freeze and winterizing.

What have I missed? Thanks for all the help. Couldn't have done it without all you. -Luther

you shouldnt. you know about alignment? and leaving the damper loose until the transmission is piloted and bolted?

yes

I asked Eric to include one, but wasn't aware there was such a thing as a universal damper plate. How much needs to be trimmed for a 351? Sure don't want to do the job twice, like I'm apt to do anyway!
Found previous posts and a few pics of the universal plate. Is it a better plate than the one made for a 351? Cost difference ($183 Skidim)? Eric?

I like em, there are some out there in the 150.00 range, set and forget, thats me though and i look at it this way, all the high end boats have them installed.

lison wrote: While Eric works on my transmission, I'm wondering if I should be pulling the prop shaft assembly apart.

Just double check the cutlass bearing in the strut. Everything else you'll need to wait for the trans and install it. When you get to that point, this video may come in handy.