paragon straight drive hydraulic transmission

[seagirl]

I am having alittle trouble with my starboard transmission. It was rebuilt about one year ago and has probably 40 hours on it. Trans is 3 to 1 ratio. mounted to a crusader 454. year is 1979.<br />problem is failure to shift into forward once in a while. predominantly when it is warmed up. the pressure in neutral is 120 psi and is the same when the gear is engaged either forward or reverse. I found that when it fails to engage forward the pressure drops out needle bounce some and usually will engage in time. immediately after engaging the pressure restores and no trouble until I shift again. (there no problems with reverse works every time oil is good and clean.) why is the pressure dropping out at this point only? and what can be done short of pulling it out again.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: paragon straight drive hydraulic transmission

Dang, that's got to be in a Chris Craft with a Paragon. Sure its a Crusader or is it behind a Thermo-Electron engine? That would be the counter-rotating engine and clutch. Before I pull the transmission, I would remove the shift housing on the top and be sure the gasket is in one piece. That along with removing the shift cable and being sure the lever is moving fully to engage the clutch. If these items doesn't cure the problem, then there is leakage around one of the O-rings in the forward clutch pack. One thing about the Paragons, if the forward clutchs slip very much, they will weld themselves together and the transmission won't come out of gear.

 

[seagirl]

Re: paragon straight drive hydraulic transmission

Its a chris craft. tranny model is a pl-30. is it possible that the piston that engages the clutch pack be the problem? and is that the one on the top of the trans. or is it in the clutch area.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: paragon straight drive hydraulic transmission

The piston for the clutches are in the forward clutch drum and could possibly have a leaking O ring. The piston under the top cover only works the reverse band. On the other hand, the shift lever works the valve that diverts the fluid pressure. If the holes aren't lining up or there's a leaky gasket, it could cause this problem. But first, check to see if the shift lever is fully engaging.