So there I was., On a cold winter day, actually it was about 15 deg. and I just had to test out the new engines, (Newbe to twin boat), and during brake in I noticed a slight vibration at high drive trim, so after going back to this web site and reading all of the vast experience, I'm thinking engine alignment, so I ordered the tool. So how close are we talking here 1/8 in. 1/64. Thanks for all the input

Um, you may be on the wrong thread here, Force. But, when properly aligned the tool should slide through the gimble bearing in and out of the coupler using a two finger grip. And yes, you will probably be able to feel a 1/64 to 1/32 difference. But a vibration is more likely to be a result of gimble bearing or U-joint problems than alignment. --- Jer

Wrong Thread Jer?, I started this thread 11 days ago looking for a simple question and it just grew from a HP question to cyro to clutches and relief pressure springs ( white I think) ,Bravo VS TRS. and so on. I'm sorry, I should have started a new thread when It got off track. Ill remember next time. Thank you any way for the tips.Just trying to continue the learning curve here.

O.K. I'm with ya now. So these are TRS's that you are aligning. That's a little different cause the gimble bearing is REALLY a tailstock bearing and is always in proper alignment with the tranny. You use that big disc that you need to order in addition to the alignment shaft in order to do a TRS. Follow the instructions that come with the tool (I hope) or get with someone who has an old manual for proper procedure. I could help you there but I will be off-line and on the road for about 6 weeks starting Thurs. next. CAREFULLY INSPECT your U-joint assmb. I had a slight vibration this summer and KAPOW! I exploded the outdrive bell housing and outer transom mount. I had lost a bearing cup retainer clip. You definitely do NOT want to do that. Cost many $$$ and hours. Just lucky I can do my own wrenching. Good luck! --- Jer

I have had luck with up to 625, nothing over that. If you are going over I would go to 3's or 5's

Wow, are the rules that tight here, no discussion that wasn't initiated by the thread starter?? Since when does a "simple" question involving boats have a simple answer??:D To me the exchange of information is priceless......................

Are we having fun yet!

Where the F*&% is that Summer Sun anyway?

I don't know but I've got over 5 feet of snow on my deck and a foot of ice on the lake :mad: I'm gonna get in the camper/van and drive south till I can stand on a beach in shorts, tank top, and bare feet and see water that has ripples on it.

And I wasn't trying to impose any rules. I just thought that perhaps the thread on engine alignments and alignment tools that was up a short while back might have gotten some better response than one on H.P. and TRS drives, thats all. There's lots of smart guys out there that won't even bother to read a thread on TRS's. I do cause I still run one. --- Jer

I'm gonna get in the camper/van and drive south till I can stand on a beach in shorts, tank top, and bare feet and see water that has ripples on it.

I think you should look for water that has "nipples" on it, in it or in the general vicinity of it.:D
Now, we're really off topic!

Ahhhh...... now we're talkin'. I really feel for you guys "up north". My season here is short enouph, but you guys get it bad!! We're still payin for that non-existant winter of 2001-2002........

Hey Russ, glad you edited out that spelling error. I always knew that you could tell the difference between getting "of" and getting "off". --- Jer

TRS......oldie but goodie. If it was junk I guess it would of faded away a long time ago. but there must be a lot of them still around. ( good poll subject ), I'm just a blue collar mechanic trying to make a living and have fun at the same time. So I am starting out at the bottom with an older boat. But its got some nice lines like my 70 Olds 442 ram air, (classic) So I hope they built these drives back in the day like a 70s era muscle car not some bubble looking 4 cycl. plastic piece of crap import.time will tell. Thanks for all the help all. More questions will follow I'm sure.

Force, we ARE on the same page!! I only have this knowledge cause I'm old and have screwed-up so much. Problem is; I'm SO old that I've started forgetting the screw-ups and am starting to repeat them. Hell, I even got married a second time. --- Jer

puking trans fluid
 

I have a 1976 Cigarette Awesome with twin 450's ,Borg Warner trans & TRS drives. Sometimes usually when in a crowded cove & I have to use forward & revere alot at idle mostly,the trans will both force most of their fluid out of the vents.Dont know if its boiling it or what,has anyone heard of this? I am new to this boat. I read somewhere that you should use either Cat or Allison trans fluid?

I know if you overfill an automotive trans the drums will run in the oil causing aeration and foaming causing the problem you mentioned. I haven't Ben in my Borg warner (YET), plan on going to graphite clutches, I'm hearing they are only good for 400hp.

Screw ups? thats the best teacher there is, especially the expensive ones.

Thanks force, but I am sure they are at the right level,it almost seems like an overheating issue?

Contact Marc at BAM. they are the experts.

Yep, What he said!! --- Jer

We use ford spec, F or FA. The puking was a major problem with the older transmissions, in fact there was a kit made to dump the fluid back in the dipstick hole (I do have a couple but it is a bandaid fix only). The real problem is a flaw in the casting, no windage shield in the early units and bad control of the oil flow.

There was a member here on OSO known as "Doctor Dave" who had a 35' Cig Awesome which is a pretty HEAVY boat with a pair of 565" engines with 8-71 blowers that were dyno'd at about 800hp each. These engines were connected to the TRS drives that he had on his Cig.

Dave maintained his own engines and drives and I have watched him over the years with this combination as he did his boating out of St. Joseph, MI out on Lake Michigan. He also would set up his TRS drives himself i.e. pre-load, shimming, rolling torque, etc. He has told me that he sets up his drives on the tighter side and his TRS drives would survive as long as he would run a Bravo 4-bladed prop no larger than 28". He blew his drives once with a 30" bravo 4-bladed prop. So from there he has stuck with 28" 4-bladed props and hasn't had any problems. A 30" or larger 4-blade prop on a lighter boat might survive with that kind of power as weight, power output, etc are some of the important variables that you must consider in the equation when it comes to how much a TRS drive can take.

After about 20 years of boating, I have heard that Dave is getting out of the boating sport and has just put his boat up for sale this past year. I never see Dave here on OSO anymore, but I'm sure he'd be glad to tell you about his experiences with the TRS drives with big power.

Thanks Kaama Ill keep a look out here for Doctor dave,I am no where near those specs. But I ll be carfull on throttle up any way ,Thanks all.

KAAMA,

How fast was Dave getting out that 'ol Ciggie?

And at what rpm??

Always nice to hear good news, thanks KAAMA..............

If you guys want to call me on my cell I would be happy to give you Dave's phone number and that way you can talk to him personally about it. My cell: 616-291-7932

Years ago merc had a HP420 package with a trs drive. Those packages were real reliable. The 496HO puts out about the same power and can idle a little lower to shift in and out of gear. I don't think there will be a problem with the drives as long as the bottom gear lash is set at .011 and the rolling preloads are set in the middle to 3/4 range

RUNING A 302 SR WITH 680HP DYNO WITH NOSE CONES BY SEA&LAND WELD EVERY 2INCH COUPLE HUNDER HOURS NO PROBLEMS HERE.

Im glad these old post are still around for us die hard TRS users and for guys that have been fortunate enough to get in to boating.

Meee too.. as I just got my first "BIG" boat, and heard about the infamous TRS drives, and been learning their limitations...