[David Erik Sneed]

Here’s a pic of the hydraulic pump setup.

[David Erik Sneed]

Thought I’d circle back and share the ultimate fix for this boat. I’ve had this all together now for a couple of months and have sorted out the bugs. She operates great and we’ve been using her continuously managing our floating houses on Fontana Lake.

Installed a Velvet Drive conversion from Seaboard.

Worked with BAM to build a 1500 DSL modified Velvet Drive.

Custom built a shift linkage in my own shop.

Had to install an electric clutch driven hydraulic pump for the reverse bucket on the Doen jet. Deweze makes a great setup for a snow plow on 12 valve Dodge trucks. Appropriately modified that kit for the marine engine with my own custom mounts.

The boat is now setup for easy maintenance. Simple replacement parts if needed.

Thanks for supporting these engines so well. The Velvet Drive kit is fantastic.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Scotth

[David Erik Sneed]

Continuing to research options and noted the Seaboard kit to convert to a Velvet Drive.   So many options out there for new and performance units by Velvet Drive and third parties.  Is this an option worth considering?   This is a 1:1 application.  Did get the MG-5075 pulled and photo of the input shaft attached.  Severe damage.  

[David Erik Sneed]

Trying pics again. Too large first time around. 

[David Erik Sneed]

Thanks Tony.   There is always more to the story and here it is.  This vessel is a military surplus 2003 Seaark VC Commander.  Low hours (187 on both engine compartment and dash meters) which based on my experience with other surplus purchases doesn’t mean much.  At any rate I’ve been sorting her out over the past few months a bit at a time and trialing her on our local lake.  All has gone very well until she suddenly showed a pressure spike on the trans pressure gauge of over 400 (gauge maxes out at 400 and it was to the stop).  My initial reaction was that this was suspect since all seemed well and then suddenly she lost drive power.  A quick inspection revealed a bilge full of oil and nothing on the stick.  I had changed the trans oil a few weeks earlier with SAE 30 and had run several trips with no issues.  Assume an front seal failure since nothing visible elsewhere.  Nursed her back to the dock with oil on hand (20w50) and a tow.  Pulled the control valve to see if there was any trash that could have created a pressure regulator issue and found fine metal debris.  Pulled the strainer and a hand full of metal came out including some larger chunks that appear similar to bearing cage components. Not entirely sure at this point as I’m still in the process of pulling the trans for inspection.   Pics attached of the current status (turbo pulled and lines, etc working out).

[Author]

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