[C320-list] Very stiff shifting of Perkins M-30

[Charles Holbrook]

 Lou
Do you have feathering or folding prop?  Nine years ago right after I bought my 1995 Catalina with a Perkins 30 I had the same problem with the shifter getting stuck in reverse.  I had to shut engine off to get it shifted back into neutral.  After I removed the transmission and the shop found no problem, I had the boat hoisted up and found that one of the three blades on my feathering prop did not articulate freely and  kept getting stuck..  I changed the prop to the standard brass three bladed prop and the problem went away. If you have a feathering or folding prop you might put on a mask and snorkel and test the blades with your hand to see if they all move freely.
Charlie    On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 10:10:57 AM EDT, Bob Borelli via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 I'm not sure of your problem.

The Hurth transmission manual states wait 2 seconds in neutral when shift from forward to reverse.

Shift from forward to neutral, wait 2 seconds, then shift into reverse.  etc.

Also fill the transmission fluid to the mark on the dip stick.  Dip stick not screwed into place.
I use a hand pump to remove trans fluid then add new to the dip stick mark level.

Bob Borelli  1995 C320 no. 209  Sassafras River MD

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of SV Osprey via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:29 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Cc: SV Osprey <svospreycat320 at gmail.com>; c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Very stiff shifting of Perkins M-30

I had the same issue and just drained and topped off the transmission fluid (sw-30) in my case. Works much smoother now.
Elan
Sv Osprey
1997 Catalina 320 #451

> On Jun 17, 2024, at 9:05 AM, Louis Spitz via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> It’s hard to shift from neutral to forward to reverse.  I have a 1995 Perkins M-30. This has been an ongoing situation.
> Any suggestions appreciated.
> Thanks
> Lou Spitz
> #195 Merry Chase