FORMULAfast

Ok here my problem I have a single engine 28' boat with a 2spd bam trans. I'm going from a #3 drive to a #5 to raise the X dir mension on it.
I never R&Rd a SSM drive before but I have done several alphas and bravos!
can someone please coach me on how to install a SSM drive into a transmission since theres no gimbel bearing to help guide the shaft in once the yoke has started to enter the drive bell I cant figure out how to align the input shaft!! after several hrs I gave up

Rbesola

I just get a long screw driver and move things around til it goes. Haven't found an exact science yet.

teamsynergy

I have done the same thing... pack a cooler for the frustration next time... :-)

flashpoint67

You can wrap the universal in tape to hold it straight also

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

Do you have the guide spring on the back of the transmission? That helps guide it into the trans.

Also, keep in mind when your installing, its not like a bravo as far as spline engagement. The female coupler in the trans turns freely. So sometimes if your trying to spin the propshaft to line the splines up, you may be turning the coupler at the same time. You almost have to try to get it in, then back it out, spin shaft, try again, etc.

Ive done the masking tape on the u joints before, and its helped. Crude, but the tape doesn't hurt a thing.

ICDEDPPL

iTrader: (1)

I feel your pain, I struggled to muscle it till my back gave out, then my buddy came by, hes an engineer who sits in an office and never has done anything labor intensive in his life and he just slides in it nice and easy, sometimes I guess it take a bit of finess I guess.

RMPRam

iTrader: (1)

When I had a set of #5's on my Cigarette I used a set of drive stands that had a little hyd. jack built into the base to raise or lower the drive. They worked perfect for storage and inst. of the drives. Contact Richard Rentschler @ RCR Metal Fab. #219-923-9104 or #219-808-6268. He has them for sale in the classifieds in "other parts and accessories" section. E-Mail / [email protected]. The ones that he shows, in his ad, are different than the ones that he sold me for my #5's. Ask him if he still makes the #5 model. You won't be disappointed. They were great for instillation and storage of the drives.
Gary Kollofski

bobkatz

The spring on the end of the tailshaft is supposed to help line up the input shaft. Make sure there are no burrs on the input or tailshaft. It is a pain in the a$$. One of mine went right on, the other side fought me, took a a break then it slid on also. Tape and a cooler helps...

How are you supporting the drive? I use an engine hoist or my overhead beam to support it. If its cocked it will fight you also.

FORMULAfast

Thanks for all the advise guys.
I used a fork lift to hold the drive up then took two small snap on screw drivers one on each side of the so called donkey dick i ran the lift while a buddy used the screw drivers and walah in she went!!

FORMULAfast

Has anyone ever ran a 28 ' magnum style hull with a SSM#5 drive on a singe engine making big HP ? If so where do I start with the prop? The engine is a 540 ci BBC W/twin turbos running 10-15 lbs of boost. The prop shaft centerline to bottom of keel is 1 1/2" the boat is setup with K-Plane tabs and full hydraulic steering. Boat weighs in at 4,500 lbs and the engine is in the 1,100 hp range. drive ratio is 1.34 engine RPM is 5,800-6,000 with rev limit at 6,500 I have discovered that the props for this drive can get rather pricey so I'd like to see if anyone has a good idea of where to start. I'm going to try a merc 5 blade cleaver 16% rake 18" dia 31 pitch just to see what it does. Any impute here would be great thanks