2 Speed Transmission?

[Hard Charger]

Has anyone tried running a power glide or similar multi gear trans? If so what happened? I'm curious to know why it would or would not work. Thanks

[old377guy]

Yeah, it's been done. I think that most of the boats rigged this way were trying to accomplish maneuverability around docks in low gear, although some were also using big props or drive ratios that were hard to get on plane. I'm not sure how these have worked out. Hopefully the guys with the real world experience will chime in and enlighten us.

[Ron P]

The B&M two speed didn't work out for me. Constant problems...until we got rid of them.

[gcarter]

It seems like they're used a lot on SK boats on the West coast.
Pretty big power too.

[Perlmudder]

doesn't Jim Lee have something to do with some high HP 2 speeds? I think he has the in Freedom US1

[carter38]

Yes they are running them in freedom contact Jim Lee freedomus1 or Tyson bigyellowcat. Last I heard they've had great success with them.

[Bradz]

I had some B&M two speeds transmissions. Low gear was really only good for docking and helped plane the boat quicker. The ratio was so low that you shifted into high gear at 25 mph. They were not very reliable and difficult to repair.

[insanity]

Weissmann is doing a lot of work with multi-speed transmissions as well.

[Ratickle]

Weissmann is doing a lot of work with multi-speed transmissions as well.

Yes he is.

[4FX]

I think back in the day Troy Dennis had made engines and 2 or 3 speed Tranny's for Alcone and maybe D.Kaiser in Jaws.

[shifter]

They work but with anything they do not like to be abused. Just keep in mind they were designed for a 3000lb car with 300 hp.

One of my customers has 2600 hp per side and could not get on plane. 2 x 4 speeds later he is boating.

Transmissions work fine in boats. Most people try to use an off the shelf product to make it happen in a boat but it is not the same do not kid yourself.

When merc did it (blacktrack) went away after a year. Unfortunate for us because our 3 speed worked and was right for the application i.e. correct ratios .5 inch longer than stock engine location etc... When they pulled the plug the other company saw no need to continue. Monkey see monkey do.

We have run up to 6 speeds in the boats and it works We were the first to introduce this to class 1 in 1998. We are running them now in a raceboat with twin Ls7 smallblock engines. They are semi-automatic spur gear, gearboxes, non planetary, no clutch. pneumatic shift computer controlled. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DINWsjuh-ys

Our newer transmissions are electric shift.

We even make them for outboards....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujz7A1AMdms

pat W

[Rik]

Pat who developed the 2 speed that Merc used with the BH drive? I remember them, they would down shift when the rpm dropped and then up shift. Kind of like a kick down cable from modern cars.

Merc recalled them and got them back when they discontinued the BH back in the day.

Here is what I need... semi automatic with neutral and reverse without killing the motor to go from one to another and not be anymore than 10" AOL. Did I mention not cost a fortune as well.

[MM36SUN]

I know the hydromatic transmissions dont do well in boats, but how about a M-22 Rock Crusher? Im installing a foot throttle in my boat, so why not a clutch too? The granny gear would be great for getting on plane i would think

[Rik]

It would have to be a production unit, I could do the castings and such. Power, well do it and do it once so 1,500 ft/lbs

Imagine, sitting as it would not be easy standing, and shifting the boat the same way that one would drive a car... Why the hell not? Does boating have to be that dissimilar to automobiles?

A buddy has a Ron Jones Hydro with a blown hemi and a hand clutch to engage the f/n/r box. Of course space is at a premium on a V drive in comparison.

[shifter]

In the seventies we made multispeed V drive gearboxes for hydroplanes. Mostly 2 speeds no reverse. I still have the tooling.

If you can get some pics it would help.

pat W

[Anchored]

This one has an internal clutch. Not sure of the torque capacity though.

http://www.brinninc.com/brinnmodified.html

Jeff