Borg wanner velvet drive

[Kevin H]

Well soon after I bought my boat Tashee I got tired of holding the Paragon transmission in reverse. I found that the bell housing supported a Borg Warner velvet drive I had to change the clutch plate, trim a little fiberglass, install a new telleflex shift cable, have a machine shop make adapter plate for the drive shaft ,and add an oil cooler for the trans fluid but it was all worth it I feel. I installed 4 of the 6 transmission mount bolt because the lower ones where to hard to get to. Tashee is SN 161 built in 77 with a Westerbeke 4-108 with over a 1000 hours on this transmission. Kevin     San Carlos MX

[jackjanos]

Kevin,
I have a Paragon (manual) tranny Model SAOD on my 1976 365 Ketch - Westerbeke 4-108 and am considering replacing it with a Borg Warner Velvet drive. I'm trying to figure which B/Warner will work.  Which particular model did you install?  And where did you get it?
Jack

[eveningebb]

If you are near Edgewater, MD, you could talk to American Transmission (410.956.2100).  I believe they have rebuilt units available or could put you in touch with someone who does.  I have a 1017 series Borg Warner Velvet Drive transmission installed on a Westerbeke 40 engine.  This unit replaced the original Paragon transmission.  You'll need to replace the shift cable when you replace the transmission and while you're at it you should also replace the throttle cable.

[jackjanos]

Thanks for the info. I'm up in northern Balt. County but I will call them.  If they have what I need It will be worth the drive to Edgewater.