paragon transmission problem

[S/V Laelia]

I was out for a sail today and about an hour into the sailing part, I heard an unpleasant grinding noise. I went below and discovered that the prop was spinning madly despite the fact that I had the shift lever pushed down into the reverse position. I found that if I pushed down hard enough on the shift lever, the rotation would stop. I tied it like that and headed back to my slip. When I started the engine to motor in, I discovered that the transmission didn't seem to go into gear either forward or reverse. Fortunately, wind and tide were such that I was able to sail into a slip without damage.

Any idea why this failure would happen? When I left the slip, everything seemed normal. I motored for a little over an hour before I started sailing.

I seem to recall seeing a post about adjusting the clutch with some washers but I can't find the post. Can anyone help with this?

Thank y'all
Ralph

[S/V Laelia]

Update

I disconnected the shift cable at the transmission end, started the engine and let it idle. I shifted into forward (moved the shift lever toward the front of the engine) and nothing happened for a few seconds. Then the shaft started to rotate and there were unhappy sounds like a bucket of bolts being stirred under pressure. I tried for reverse and was barely able to get the shifter to move far enough to get any shaft rotation. It didn't sound happy either.

[POG]

Hey Ralph,

This may very well be my last posting for quite a while.  POG is is leaving for the South Pacific VERY soon, within days, if it remains in my power to do so.

I had a lot of issues with my transmission and asked the forum for help.  Go back and find these conversations.  They will be helpful to you.  One of my connections was with Nelson Tolar who helped me a lot off the forum.  Look him up on the site under his name or the name of his boat "Dancing Rabbit".  He sent me diagrams and told me how to adjust the clutch.  In the end there was no problem with my transmission.  I just had an under-pitched prop.

Unfortunately, your problem sounds like more than an adjustment problem - but you will have to find out.

One thing you will also find is that there is no detent for the Paragon gear box in reverse.  If you want to stop the prop from spinning - as you should in order not to wear the box and the V-drive out - you put the gear in forward.

Carl  

[jvercher]

Safe passage Carl!

[S/V Laelia]

Carl,

Thank you - and safe passage. I hope you can keep us updated with some posts as your trip progresses.

Ralph

[S/V Laelia]

I am pulling the transmission out to take it to a shop to get looked at. I got the four bolts out of the bell housing but the bell housing is still firmly attached to the motor. Anyone have a good idea about getting it the rest of the way off? Dynamite and large hammers are not good suggestions - I think 

[S/V Laelia]

The Westerbeke manual suggested using a rubber mallet to loosen the transmission. I've tried that and had no luck so far. I also applied paint remover to the area around the seat/collar that the transmission mates to. I followed that with WD40 and a lot more action with the mallet and a pry bar. Still no movement.

Any suggestions?

I don't think I mentioned that it is a Paragon SAOD model.

BTW - I read Garner's article about replacing the damper plate and I started wondering if that is the problem rather than the transmission. I tried adjusting the clutch but when the transmission is in gear, the driveshaft still rotates easily by hand with an occasional metallic scraping sound. I guess I will know once I get the transmission off.

[RayNWanda]

I haven't pulled a Paragon, but I have pulled a Velvet Drive and bell housing. There were two bolts that came in from the other side, what I would call the front side of the engine. The engine is in there backwards, so that makes descriptions a bit more difficult. Feel around and see if there are two more bolts (one on each side) that thread into the bell housing from the other side.

[S/V Laelia]

My post wasn't carefully worded. There isn't a bell housing like I'm used to seeing on cars. The transmission bolts directly into the engine block. See picture.

[RayNWanda]

The transmission is bolted to an aluminum bell housing, not the engine block. I have Jim Tyson's dead Paragon here and it's bell housing. I went out to have a look and the four bolts are all that hold the transmission to the bell housing. If you need to pull the bell housing to access the spring plate, there are two bolts that come in from the other side that you cannot see. You will have to feel for them or use a mirror.

[S/V Laelia]

OK - it looks like I'm doing the right thing. The transmission just doesn't want to come loose from the bell housing.

I did some searching online to see if there is something better than WD40 for getting corroded things apart (I'm assuming that is the problem). I have seen numerous references to a 50/50 solution of ATF and acetone as being the best penetrant. Does anyone have experience with it? I am trying it now but so far nothing has moved.

[kevin barber]

PB Blaster!  Spray it on and let it soak in overnight.  It is available at most automotive shops.

[zaya]

you are not banging hard enough with the mallet.
try again, as hard as you can!!

[wedelstein]

It looks like you have the correct bolts. They go to the adapter what we would call a bell housing. This sounds like the spline is rusted to the drive plate. It may break to get the gearbox off. I only think you need to pry the gearbox back from the engine. You may need to drive wedges there to get it off.
The bell housing can support either the manual paragon gearbox or a 1:1 borg warner velvet drive.
I have both a spare paragon and a recently reworked velvet drive in my shop. I could sell one if that will help. Call me at 757 567 8883. I have had the gearbox off a few times.

[S/V Laelia]

Thanks for the information. If it turns out that I need a new transmission, I will be in touch.