Paragon SAOD Problems.

[Nelson]

I will dig the file out  and email it to you. Meanwhile will do some research into the noise issue. This is not normal for such a simple gear. Look for a post here shortly. I'll also get our Manager of outside Machine work here at the shipyard opinion also.

Nelson

[wedelstein]

A little wobble of the front shaft should be acceptable. In the origional design on palmer engine the front shaft was bolted to the flywheel which gave it support. The frount plate and bearing looks like something done for the weaterbeake/perkins installation. The rest of the front shaft support is the pilot shaft bearing in the flywheel. Check the splines in the damper plate and front shaft for whear.

I hope you have this back together by now. If it is still giving trouble I think I have a set for forward cluch plates in storage.

If anyone is disgusted by the poor reverse of the SAO transmission I have a newly rebuilt velvet drive available for sale.

[dutchie]

Keep in mind this transmission was designed to do forward thrust most of the time when I'm right informed there is a planetary gear system inside this transmission which is stationary in forward trust. when going in reverse the clutch plates are losend and the brake-band will hold the housing of the gears and these gears will start rotating in their housing. These gears are with straight teeth because noise isn't a issue, cheaper to manufacture ( mine engine has ran for 1900 ours and probably did 2 ours in reverse of that  )  So yes reverse is giving some extra noise from the gears but nothing disturbing I think.
when backing up in a harbor I put the lever with some force in reverse and most of the time it stays there. but holding mine hand on the lever during manouvring isn't a issue for me. When stopping in the slip I like it to have mine hand at the lever and give it a little burst of power till it stops and the put it in neutral a.s.a.p.

[BlameItOnBuffett]

Wedelstein,

Does the velvet drive slip right in, or does it require changing much. I really hate the paragon with the reverse clutch....

Also, does it require hydraulics and anything special for them, as my curreny paragon needs none of that...

Thanks

[macgig]

I realize this post is older, but I have info that is relevant and important. I hope the admin will allow me to post this. My experience with American transmission in edgewater maryland. I need to warn others so they don't get burned like I did!


American Transmission 74 mayo road in edgewater Maryland ripped me off. . avoid this place

I paid them $2750 to rebuild my truck transmission. 1 week after the repair, it was slipping and often not going into gear. the work was never done right. all I got from Dave Layman was lies and excuses. he never fixed it right, nor will he refund my money. Avoid American transmission in edgewater! 4 times he tweaked it, never could get it fixed.

I don't understand how they have been in business so long. I finally had the dealer fix it RIGHT at a cost of $3800. I think American should do the RIGHT thing and refund all of my money but so far they have not.

I recently learned that they no longer rebuild auto transmissions. wonder why? seems they never knew how to do it when they attempted to fix mine.

look for my google review for all the details and BS I had on dealing with American transmission in edgewater maryland. 30+ years I've dealt with many local businesses, this is the FIRST time I've ever been shafted by a local business.

avoid American Transmission in edgewater md and tell your friends please so they don't get burned like I did.

Well guys and gals I think my transmission saga is over.
Dave at American Transmission returned my tranny and debited my Visa card for $2450.00.
My experience with Dave was mixed. It took three phone calls over the span of a month to get things moving. The excuses reminded me of some homework my dog chewed up when I was a young pup. I wonder if my teacher's reaction was the same as mine was with Dave. He asked what color I wanted it painted I said "red" and got it back "distressed red". IE he sent it back unpainted. An oversight? Perhaps. I'll know better next May when I try it out.
Being a bit of a control freak, perhaps my angst was in part due to the distance of his shop. It would have been nice to see the process in person.

I'll let you all know how I make out next spring. In the mean time, Happy New Year everyone!

Henri Hali
SV Windrider

[Already There]

Hello Henri,
Parts for the Paragon SAOD can be ordered through any Twin Disc clutch distributor. I rebuilt my 2 years ago for a little less than 200.00 in parts. Took about 6 hrs to disassemble, clean and reassemble. If you need it, I can upload a PDF file of the repair manual. Need your email.

Nelson Tolar
Dancing Rabbit
No. 136
Mobile, AL

Please contact me if possible about rebuilding the Paragon SAOD tranny. I have hull #24 and she is a great rig.  Looking at DIY on the tranny. Just need some hard to find rebuild procedures and maybe some parts location info..  Thanks

[Bev & Billy on Sta-sea-dawn]

Hi Wedelstein:

Thanks for the input.

Now that the tranny is on my work bench it's easy to see all of the items you mentioned. After I clean up the burned oil, I'll fidgit with the adjustments you suggested.

Since my last posting I've removed the front end plate to get a clearer look at things. After removing it I noticed the shaft wabbled a bit in the front end plate bearing. Is this acceptable, or should I replace this bearing and for that matter the bearing at the other end? I'm not looking for more work, but on the other hand.......

I guess the next and perhaps the most important thing I need to get my arms around is how can I tell if the clutch plates were cooked or not.

I've been using my Westerbeke Tech Manual Edition 6 published June 1978 as a guide to get me through this labyrinth of gears and bearings and God knows what other stuff. I would not be able to talk to you guys without it.

If there is an interest in getting this on the site I'd be happy to oblige. I would however need even more guidance to accomplish that task.

Henri
SV Windrider 

Henri,
You describe the exact problem I am having with my propulsion.  Just no get up and go...What rpms do you run to get 5 knots?  My tranny oil is black and it is only 10 hours old.  Even tho, I did not have the smoke...I think the tranny gets to hot to touch.  I just never have jumped right down there and tested it...when I stop the engine.  But I feel that something is not right with my rpm to speed....Billy
Did you rebuild your tranny with the help of the (Westerbeke Tech Manual Edition 6 published June 1978)?
Where you able to post the manual?  Is there a way to get a copy from you, maybe in a zip  or PDF file. 
I would like to see a schematic of your bimini frame modification.  Mine also hits or my mizzen boom.

[Bev & Billy on Sta-sea-dawn]

Morning....has anyone replaced the paragon with a Hurth?
I have a W40 with a paragon transmission.  I am trying to replace my Paragon with a Hurth.  Do you know which Hurth will match up with the Westerbeke 4-108 40 HP?  I can not find parts for the paragon in central Florida.

[Bev & Billy on Sta-sea-dawn]

Yesterday, I took the plate off the tranny to have a local transmission mechanic check it out.  He told me that it looks and sounds fine to him (talked himself out of work)...NICE GUY...But I had overfilled the thing.  When I changed the oil last, I was not able to remove the dip stick ( I did not even know it was one and I did not want to break anything tugging on it) so I filled the tranny full to the rim...probably 2 and 1/2 quarts...I do not know if this was a contributor to my problems.  This time I used the dip stick as a guide and only put about 30% of the free space with oil...about a quart and 3/16ths.  It was about an 1/8 of an inch over the second scribed line up the dip stick.

eliminating headaches one at a time....lol....Thanks to all of you, esp...Pete and Allen....Billy