B-Max
05-07-2011, 02:02 PM
#72
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Henderson, Nv
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NEO oil in Cali blends it for the Bravo Shop. I don't think they sell it direct to the public, I think that particular blend has to be purchased from the Bravo Shop- but I'm not sure.
05-07-2011, 06:29 PM
#74
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Henderson, Nv
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMO, the cost of the oil becomes irrelevant when it keeps the gears from going metal to metal and causing thousands of dollars in damage. If we can spend $100 per oil change, and save $2500 in parts and repair- it only makes financial sense to me to pay the $100. All it takes is 1 tooth to chip, then it snowballs inside the case... I'll post pics of my last teardown. Not to say oil alone would keep that from happening in my application, but for most people- it all happens in the same order. In my case, it just happens faster and more severely... Lose a lower gear, it sheds a tooth, the tooth binds between other teeth, the bearing and shaft get forced to the side, the case cracks, the motor is still spinning- so then you move the damage upwards, the coupler splits, wipes out the clutch shaft or clutch- or both, then the upper gears move out of alignment, then the uppers gears bind, and then the tower blows out. On my lucky days, it stops at the coupler. On my not so lucky days, the coupler lives while the clutch shaft comes apart- and then I'm replacing everything. This was a 2 hour from new occurrence for me everytime. But hey, no big deal right? If you buy 10 sets of lower gears at a time, most places will give you a great deal on them!
05-07-2011, 07:14 PM
#76
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Henderson, Nv
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lol, maybe the safest bet- but honestly, how much fun would that be? I also have a rock stock Hallet 300t with twin 454 mags- driving it sucks away my will to live... Keep an eye on the minor details and enjoy your boat with the extra power. You'll find a rhythm that your boat likes in the way you drive it and maintain it. Once you get there, you'll be ok.
05-08-2011, 08:04 PM
#78
Geronimo36
Gold Member
IMO, the cost of the oil becomes irrelevant when it keeps the gears from going metal to metal and causing thousands of dollars in damage. If we can spend $100 per oil change, and save $2500 in parts and repair- it only makes financial sense to me to pay the $100. All it takes is 1 tooth to chip, then it snowballs inside the case... I'll post pics of my last teardown. Not to say oil alone would keep that from happening in my application, but for most people- it all happens in the same order. In my case, it just happens faster and more severely... Lose a lower gear, it sheds a tooth, the tooth binds between other teeth, the bearing and shaft get forced to the side, the case cracks, the motor is still spinning- so then you move the damage upwards, the coupler splits, wipes out the clutch shaft or clutch- or both, then the upper gears move out of alignment, then the uppers gears bind, and then the tower blows out. On my lucky days, it stops at the coupler. On my not so lucky days, the coupler lives while the clutch shaft comes apart- and then I'm replacing everything. This was a 2 hour from new occurrence for me everytime. But hey, no big deal right? If you buy 10 sets of lower gears at a time, most places will give you a great deal on them!
05-08-2011, 09:29 PM
#79
It doesn't take long breaking a Bravo to have spent the money to convert to an Arneson. Especially given they're about $20-$25k complete with transmission and hardware.
05-09-2011, 07:37 AM
#80
Registered
IMO, the cost of the oil becomes irrelevant when it keeps the gears from going metal to metal and causing thousands of dollars in damage. If we can spend $100 per oil change, and save $2500 in parts and repair- it only makes financial sense to me to pay the $100. All it takes is 1 tooth to chip, then it snowballs inside the case... I'll post pics of my last teardown. Not to say oil alone would keep that from happening in my application, but for most people- it all happens in the same order. In my case, it just happens faster and more severely... Lose a lower gear, it sheds a tooth, the tooth binds between other teeth, the bearing and shaft get forced to the side, the case cracks, the motor is still spinning- so then you move the damage upwards, the coupler splits, wipes out the clutch shaft or clutch- or both, then the upper gears move out of alignment, then the uppers gears bind, and then the tower blows out. On my lucky days, it stops at the coupler. On my not so lucky days, the coupler lives while the clutch shaft comes apart- and then I'm replacing everything. This was a 2 hour from new occurrence for me everytime. But hey, no big deal right? If you buy 10 sets of lower gears at a time, most places will give you a great deal on them!
No doubt!!! I cant imagine running 900+ hp engines and wasting time and money on bravo based drives! Switching to 6's or Arneson's before the first bravo is even shredded is a no brainer IMO...
