Velvet Drive Transmission clutches warped
 

I had a problem with one of my props turning in neutral. I suspected something was wrong. With the engines off one prop was real hard to turn by hand so out came the motors and this is what I found. Warped clutches, a .070 in cone shaped WOW in them. So what is the max safe HP a 10-017 can handle. Marc at BAM says to go with graphite clutch , is any one using these? Ill probly go that rout any way. Just wanted to share.

End View

Marc is right. Graphite cluthes have a higher co-efficiency(higher grabbing power). A stock 10-17 is good for 310 HP. But with graphite clutches you can up the hp. Whats nice about graphite clutches is if they let go it doesn't wreck parts like bronze plates do.

what will be the hp rating after the graphite clutch upgrade and will I need to increase the pump pressure? I am running 8.1 ho 420 ea

They sould be alright. Though I would take it easy on wave jumps and holeshots. You will probably puke a drive first before the trans. lets go. I'd keep the same pressure spring and put a plastic windage tray instead of the metal one. I'd put merc's trans. recovery bottle kit on the trans. too.

I'm no expert, but how long has that trans been slipping?
Looks like the plates have been over heated which will cause the warping.