3000 Express Transmission help Michigan

[seascootr]

I have a 2002 3000 Express with 350 Mercruiser Horizons with V-drive inboards, just got word from my mechanic that the gearbox is leaking in the input shafts. He does not work on inboards anymore but he said I need to have them rebuilt so looking for recommended mechanics in mid Michigan area, Bay City, Caseville, anyone have any recommendations? Also, has anyone had the work done before and how much per motor should I expect for each transmission rebuild? The boat is on a trailer so I am able to travel.

Thanks for any feedback or advise.

[Woodworker2001]

I am sure that you have the 5000 series velvet drive transmissions.

I did a ton of research when I had both leaking. They are a poorly designed transmission. I talked to guys from Seattle to Norfolk,VA. Including the guy here in port Clinton. Rebuilds can be from $1500 -$4000 per transmission. You can pull the cover on the stbd side of the transmissions. It has six bolts. Be careful. Depending on the pump you have then can be under a fair amount of pressure from the spring. Back all bolts out slowly and evenly. There is a filter in behind there. See if any metal chunks in there. That is gonna tell you some about the interior condition of the gears.

Parts can be an issue. Last winter pumps were back ordered for 6 months.

Now you have two options. Rebuild these or replace with new zf hurth 68a transmissions. The swap is not terrible but did require a fair amount of work. If you want to hear more about that pm me and I will send you my cell and we can talk. I plan on doing a write up on the swap just haven’t had time.

Either way it can be done with engines in the boat. Pulling the velvet drives is not hard and most mechanically inclined can do it themselves. Take a 4x4 and put over the rear of the engines spanning the engine hatch opening. Take another one and put vertically under the center. Then use a 12” eye bolt through a hole in the horizontal 4x4 and a shackle down to the rear engine living point. Then us a nut on the top to take pressure off rear mounts.

Now you can pull the transmissions and lift out by hand.

The replacement route with new zf hurths is more work but I did it myself and have brand new better built transmissions with 2 year warranty. But the rebuild was certainly an easier route I don’t know it would have been a ton cheaper depending on rebuild costs. I am happy for you to call me and we can talk at length about the process. I designed new mounts both front and rear to keep the existing stringer mount locations.

[seascootr]

Thanks for your detailed info. what i have going on is a bit of water in the tranny fluid which he thinks is leaking from the input shaft. He doesn't work on transmission so my boat is still on a trailer so hauling it over to bay city where I store it on Friday to have them take a look. Talking with the mechanic over their he thought maybe a bad seal or bad cooling pump seal? Hoping for the best as I lost half the summer already so keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again for your feedback.

[Dan1]

More likely the transmission cooler is leaking, if so the faster you can get the oil changed out and run up to temp the better, you may save the transmission if you can get the moisture out ASAP.

Remove the cooler, connect the oil hoses together, connect the water supply together, change the oil, cleanout oil strainer-run it.

Do that a couple of times while your getting the oil cooler pressure tested.

[Woodworker2001]

As Dan said. 90+% chance it is the cooler