Sunset
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2013
- Messages
- 278
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Manatee
- Vessel Make
- 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
This past week when coming to a dock the boat failed to reverse, then failed to go forward, and I was left adrift. Unable to find any mechanics' assistance I was forced to investigate on my own, hoping the solution lay outside the tranny itself. After manfully struggling to remove the helm seat and heavy engine cover - and balancing it on the cockpit seat - I was able to see that the stainless drive shaft had come apart from the receiver at the rear of the engine. I found that I could slide the shaft toward the hole where it is supposed to enter the tranny. There are two opposing holes in the tranny housing and two opposing holes on the shaft, about 1/4 inch diameter. Obviously for some kind of cotter pin method to secure. So i fished around in the sludge under the engine and pulled out a pin about 2 inches long, perfectly cylindrical and smooth, same size as aforesaid holes! Woopee!
I was able to re-connect the drive shaft and carry on, proud of my intrepid problem-solving . . . but here's the thing: the smooth pin worked into the holes with the assistance of a hammer, but there doesn't seem to be any way to actually secure the pin in position. The pin does not go right through all holes and protrudes a half-inch from the housing. It seems like it wouldn't take much for it to dislodge again. Can anyone advise me as to how this pin is normally secured? Kicking myself for not having taken pictures to illustrate, and reluctant to remove the box just for that purpose.
I was able to re-connect the drive shaft and carry on, proud of my intrepid problem-solving . . . but here's the thing: the smooth pin worked into the holes with the assistance of a hammer, but there doesn't seem to be any way to actually secure the pin in position. The pin does not go right through all holes and protrudes a half-inch from the housing. It seems like it wouldn't take much for it to dislodge again. Can anyone advise me as to how this pin is normally secured? Kicking myself for not having taken pictures to illustrate, and reluctant to remove the box just for that purpose.