tools for tranny rebuild?

It is very realistic if you have some mechanical experience and inclination. I just finished a rebuild on my Velvet Drive for about $430 in parts and as I didn't pull the drive gear off the shaft I didn't need a press at all. You should have a torque wrench, a mic would be handy but you don't have to spend a lot of money. I did mine in the garage. Just make sure you get and keep every thing clean. It was my first time inside a trans but with the manual on this site (in the reference section) it was not a problem. You can do it!

You might try changing the fluid one more time. There may have been some watery fluid left in the case that didn't get mixed up until it was run. Maybe? I've had water in the fluid a couple of times and I just changed the fluid twice, took it for a spin and changed it a third time. Worth a shot.

I did however have to replace the reverse clutch plates and springs not too long ago due to some nylon rope wrapped around the prop. It was pretty easy. The hardest part was removing thr Velvet Drive from the motor. I didn't get into the forward plates -- it did look a little more complicated. So can't really comment on how hard or what tools are need for that part.
I do recommend a torque wrench. They are kinda expensive but worth it id you do much tinkering with your boat. I've twisted off too many bolts because I've been too lazy to grab the torque wrench. The tub is a great idea. There's a lot of fluid in there, even when you think you've got it all out. Other than that, wrenches, sockets and pliers is all I can remember using. Snap ring pliers would make things easier. Good luck.

Yes

I used an air impact wrench to get mine loose. It was pretty tough, but after soaking for a while in penetrating oil and keeping at it, it broke loose. You could try holding the coupling with a big pipe wrench.
This link has some pics
http://photobucket.com/albums/d199/TexasBob/

I suppose one could bolt something to it with a lot of mass, like a small trailer wheel or weightlifting plate. The mass would permit the impact wrench to work.

I wanted to follow up and thank everyone for thier help. My 71C is now rebuilt and working perfectly. Never would have considered trying to rebuild it myself without the forum here. For any other rookies like me who might be considering it them sevlevs here a few things that I learned along the way.


To get the transmission out...losen the nuts on the vertical "bols" on the engine and transmission motor mounts (2-3 turns) . Tap the "bolt" with a hammer, it will drop slighty freeing the morot mounts to better pivot.

Remove the bolts attaching the transmission mount to the stringer (there were 2 per mount on mine)

Remove the 4 bolts connecting the coulpings

Put a bottlejack on the stringerand under the exhaust manifold...use it to raise the engine enough so that the output coupling clears the drive shaft coupling.

You can now remove the 4 nuts and 2 bolts which hold thetransmission to the engine. Because the 4 nuts are attached to studs, you don't have to worry about the transmission falling as you remove the nuts. Just slide the transmission out, using the mounts as handles.

Aother thing that I think is worh while pointing out is that of the two transmissions manuals available on this site, one of them has disassembly instructions. I was surprised to find I needed them!

I had water in the transmission and lots of rust to sand down. My input shaft was pitted and I didnt know if it could be reused. I lereaned that a "seppdy sleve" is available to tap ove the pitted area and provide a smooth surface for the front seal. It was $80, but that was a lot better than buying a whole new shaft.

Thanks again guys. i'm sure I'll be asking you adivse on other topics soon.

Tim