Paragon Transmission

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

Hull 193...Sta-Sea-Dawn....Billy

Ahoy...I am muddling my way through the paragon transmission....I had to use a single level side mount on the starboard lazzerate.  The Edson pedestal was removed by the PO and replace with a Yacht Specialties.  It does not have the shifter and throttle handles.  I had to use a C33 (3300 C) red jaket teleflex cable for the tranny.  It is not as heavy as the edson cable I found onboard.  But the Edson cable would not fit in the Vetus Single lever dual action side mount shifter I purchased.  I have doubts about the durability of the cable due to the tranny shifting very stiffly.  It does not seem to lock in either direction, held in place by the tension of the shift lever.  Will not travel through reverse and forward with the engine not running.  Running it takes a bumping action to get out of gear and back into neutral.  I tried loosening and tightening the pin with the spring on it, not any help.  I re'con my next step is to take the tranny out and see if I can find someone around Tampa/St. Pete that can repair or rebuild it.  It seems to run in gear with no problem.  Just needs the tension of the shifter to hold in gear and bumping to get out.  How bad am I fix' in to mess up.

Does anyone have suggestions about repairs in my area.  How simple is it and can a regular tranny guy do it, as far as a rebuild to make shift easier......

[graemek]

hi
the only detent position is in forward drive only,revers is hold the lever loaded till you need to go back to neutral position,sounds like the clutch nut is to tight if it is that stiff,undo it one notch and then try it,
adjustment details are on this site if you can not find them please come back and i will find mine
oceanpilgrim

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

Thanks...I did loosen the shaft with the holes in the nut top, that the spring is around.  Up to four one slot turns and 2 turns tighter....tranny stopped working at four looser.  I will reread other threads...I thought I had read most.
My biggest concern is the fact that I can not get it out of gear easily.  It goes into gear and I am able to hold it there.  Even tho I did not feel any type of indent in the foward gear and I did not see a mechansim for a dent on the push pull adjusting bar. 

[zaya]

Billy,

I am not convince you can use the vetus control for the Paragon SA0D gearbox.
They are usually used on hydraulic type transmission.

In any case, I would double check that the course of the cable is sufficient for both forward (there is a detent), and reverse (no detent, and could be a potential problem with the vetus control).

dont rebuild unless you are sure the gearbox engages properly. ALSO, do not use the boat if gearbox does not engage fully, you'll end up burning the friction discs.

good luck
phil

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

tanks...understand...I will investigate a differnet control....

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

Billy,

I am not convince you can use the vetus control for the Paragon SA0D gearbox.
They are usually used on hydraulic type transmission.

In any case, I would double check that the course of the cable is sufficient for both forward (there is a detent), and reverse (no detent, and could be a potential problem with the vetus control).

dont rebuild unless you are sure the gearbox engages properly. ALSO, do not use the boat if gearbox does not engage fully, you'll end up burning the friction discs.

good luck
phil

I have come to the sad realization That the Vetus will not work...so $300.00 later I have to find something else.

I have looked and searched everywhere and can not find a cable bigger than the West Marine C33 Teleflex Red Jaket.  I have it currently installed with the Vetus....not enough oomph!

Does anyone have a source of another Single lever dual action side mount like the Vetus but heavier.  Or, do I have to go to a dual lever.  I need to find a heavier cable....

I have shifted the tranny by hand at the gear box with the cover plate off....just do not see anything that resembles a detent.

[zaya]

one option would be to get an edson pedestal, or modify your existing pedestal if possible.

unfortunately, the paragon gearbox/westerbeke combination was designed to be operated with 2 hands (3?) in reverse, where one has to maintain pressure on the gearbox lever. therefore, a single lever would be difficult to retrofit.

2 levers on the side, would still not work in reverse, because one need to maintain pressure on the gearbox lever, while steering&controling engine speed.

the second option, more expensive, would be to get rid of that paragon, and replace/refit with a newer design. I believe some owners went that way.

PS: about the detent, it is a simple jaw type detent. if you don't hear/feel it, maybe the gearbox is adjusted too loose.

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

Well....that leaves me in a pickle....Edson pedestals are difficult to find...new ones are outragious....
Has anyone replaced the tranny and if so, what did you use....this is very depressing......

[zaya]

borg warner/velvet drive 71 1017 with a ratio of 1:1
will be expensive (2-3k), time consuming (2-3days give or take for a handy guy).


maybe send us some pictures of your pedestal, we may be able to figure out a cheap solution.

[S/V Deo Volente]

Black pedestal (only) halfway down the page
http://www.drmarine.com/products.asp?id=331

[Dale Tanski]

There is an Edson pedestal for sale on E-Bay.

Dale

[graemek]

Hi there are two on e-bay one for under $40.00 see Edson pedestal throttle and shift linkage assembly P/N C-185 - Al/Stainless -NR
get one quick i might just get a spare 
oceanpilgrim

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Billy, I think the real problem is the paragon transmission.Like Zaya said Borg Warner Velvet drive.There are thousands of them around,so finding a good deal on one should be doable.   Allen

[Sta-Sea-Dawn]

Update....so far it looks like it is the 60 series cables and Edson thinks it is the 64.  Which the length of 4 inch push/pull added to the series number.  Now I just have to try and figure out the length of cable.  I bought a used Edson pedestal and ordered a new cable holder mechanism to go inside.  So please keep up the support of info.  Next is cable length and where to order.......This site is like talking with a bunch of old friends...it is a comfort...Billy