Shim Shim Shim

[BigBobsBigBobbingBogBoat]

Hey guys, I'm refurbing a volvo penta SPA (similar to 280) outdrive, and am working on the rebuild right now. Started the shimming process. One crazy thing seems to be that I could A) go through a ton of calculations to shim the forward and reverse gear, or B) just slap on 0.2 mm (0.008") shims under both the forward and reverse gears (Mthod 2 in the repair manual).

Don's warned me in a previous post to make sure I put the shims back on, but I didnt know if anyone had any experience reshimming the upper unit of an SP-A or 280.

thanks again!

Bob

 

[Don S]

Re: Shim Shim Shim

One crazy thing seems to be that I could A) go through a ton of calculations to shim the forward and reverse gear, or B) just slap on 0.2 mm (0.008") shims under both the forward and reverse gears (Mthod 2 in the repair manual).

Neither of those methods are FINAL, only to get you to the point of doing backlash and gear pattern tests. I have rebuilt a lot of those gear boxes, and without the tools, you won't get it right, and the gears won't last long. Oh, and just the upper gear set costs almost $3000 if you damage them.

 

[BigBobsBigBobbingBogBoat]

Re: Shim Shim Shim

Thanks Don! I've got a depth micrometer, dial indicator, and some of the other tools. I'm trying to follow the manual to the letter. Some of the worries I have are mostly things that dont seem to be in the manual, like, what kind of marking dye is good to use for gear pattern testing on these drives?

 

[Don S]

Re: Shim Shim Shim

I got a tube of marking dye from the local Chevy dealer.