Drivetrain noise...HELP!

NotSoVelvetAnymore · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Winter Haven

Hello all,

I need help! I was tearing up the chain of lakes in Winter Haven FL today and the person driving my 83 Mastercraft reported a loud noise, resembling that of a rock hitting a metal building, followed by a low rattle at idle speed in both directions (rattle diminishing as RPMs increase). I opened the motor cover and realized that the transmission fluid was a tad low. The transmission (warner-gear 1.52:1 Velvet Drive mounted to the 351 winsor ford motor) was not excedingly hot and didn't appear to be making the noise. The rattle seems to be originating in the part that connects the engine to the transmission. I would call it the bellhousing, but maybe marine part definitions is different from automotive in that application. My questions are

1. What connects the engine to the transmission in this application?

2. Is there a part that is known to break in this fashion and make this kind of noise

3. It all looks relatively easy to access and work around so I may be tackleing this job myself do you know of any tips or websites/Manuals that would help me diagnose and fix this problem.

Thanks in anticipation,

Travis, "with the not so velvet anymore tranny"

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

Well I can chime in on this on.

Had the exact same thing happen this year. Re drove ours for about 2 months with the same sounds emitting from the same area your described. Tured out it was the damper plate connected to the flywheel. We replaced the damper plate $90 bucks @ skidim.com and while we where in there we replaced the Ring Gear 25 Bucks @ parts store. 1.5 hours to take apart. 2.5 hrs to put back together.

Have to loosen the drive shaft coupler, lift the engine up, yank the the trany out. Then the Starter, then the bel- housing. Behind it is the flywheel. The Presure plate is contected to it.

What your hearing is the bearings going south. Id change it before it totally explodes and leaves you stranded.

Any other questions the folks at skidim.com will set you straight... thereeeeeeeeee Greattttttttttttt!!!!!!!

Bobby · Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 18 City: Crozet

I'm not sure if I'm having the same problem or not. At around 30-36 MPH I get an occasional loud scream/screech originating from the area. I have a v-drive 92 Nautique Excel. It apparently happened 2 years ago and the dealer said it was low on transmission fluid and was cavitating but I'm not sure (I didn't own it then). I don't think I have any rattle at low rpm's though. Wonder if its the same thing?

NotSoVelvetAnymore · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Winter Haven

Thanks SteelerGuy,

Took the engine and tranny out today, sent the tranny to the rebuilders because the flywheel looked fine. I do beleive I will rescue it from the dealer gougers and try this fix myself. When you say that it is behind the flywheel, do you mean at the front of the transmission or at the back of the engine?
Thanks so much for being so quick, they were going to tear into the mr. Velvet this week. I am rushing the project because my folks are comming in for thanksgiving and all they want is a pull! Probably stupid to do that, but you know how family is. Maybe they will just settle for some Pulled Pork ha ha. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Travis

NotSoVelvetAnymore · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Winter Haven

Nice summer 2002 Video, by the way. Busting some major moves I see.

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Nov 11, 2003 3:01 am Post subject:

I have a similar thing happening in my 99 X-Star. I was led to believe from two separate mechanics that it was perhaps a lose/broken spring in the flywheel. I was also told, at least on my rig, that the flywheel was COMPLETELY isolated from the tranny and the drive shaft, so there was absolutely NO chance of the flywheel issue overflowing into something more potentially expensive. Knowing the flywheel is tough to get to, and that it won't cause any more damage, we decided just to live with it. Same circumstances; low RPM but goes away at highter revs.

MC also replaced tranny fluid with 10W30 motor oil...which I thought was interesting.

Anyone think this is way off base, please tell me...

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

You should not have sent your tranny out unless its a buddy doing it for free, or you have money to burn. Unless your positive its the tranny...... Honostly by listening to boat running you should have been able to isolate the noise to a certain area. At first we to thought is was in the tranny. But those things are built tough and rarely experience problems. There is not much in them to break.

The Tranny is connected to the drive shaft on one side, and obviously to the engine on the other side. With the tranny pulled take the starter off. then remove the bell housing. From there you can inspect the presure plate. It consists of big triagle with a center flange thing with springs. two springs blew out and caused the noise on ours.

This is also when we replaced the ring gear as a couple of teeth were missing. Never had a starting problem...

chuck · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 170 City: Arlington Wa

same problem on my 99 x-star..........sold the boat bought an ssv....no problems now

NotSoVelvetAnymore · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Winter Haven

Retreved the tranny, unscathed...thank the lord. I must have forgotten my brain when i sent that in. Vince from Skidim will have the new damper plate to me by Thursday. They really are the best. Meanwhile I am going to have some fun with powder coating, just about every piece of decorative metal on the thing. I am thinking banana Yellow with the brown stars and stripes, should turn out nice.

Found another problem while i had the engine out. The cross member that supports the beloved pylon is rusted 95 percent through. Thats what I get for buying a salt water boat. Gotta get that thing out and replaced. Anyone know what material i can expect to find under the fiberglass on the sides that line the engine compartment? 83 Mastercraft...Probably wood? Guess I will find out tommorrow.

Giddyup

NotSoVelvetAnymore · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Winter Haven

Replaced the damper plate amongst other things: Plugs, complete fluid service, powder coated all the metal, cleaned, re-wired, fabricated a new pylon, new fuel line and filter, etc etc. Put it all back in today...noise is still there. Gotta find a replacement tranny. Any suggestions on where to find a good rebuilt velvet drive 1017.006 with the 1.52:1 reduction?

Thanks

tryan · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 257

mark at marinegears.com. yes, shameless plug.