Transmission stuck in forward

[workingontan]

I have a '96 Malibu Tantrum with a freshly rebuilt engine. Mercruiser 350 inboard engine. After replacing the shifter, it frequently slipped out of gear at low RPMs (forward only). Thought it was just a cable adjustment and was a little slow to fix it. Problem got worse and now it is stuck in gear. Engine starts and runs fine, but turns the prop in forward or neutral. Putting it in reverse stalls the engine. Fluid was a bit low - refilled it with no change. Is there anything else I should try before biting the bullet and pulling the transmission?

 

[Don S]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

What kind of transmission is it? Model number, serial number, any thing that might help identify it.<br />Or, are you refering to an outdrive. That has happened more than once.

 

[workingontan]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

There's no serial number or any other identifying number on the transmission itself. The engine serial number is 0F622257. It isn't an outdrive. It is a standard inboard engine with the transmission bolted directly onto the rear of the engine. The rear of the transmission couples directly to the shaft and prop.

 

[Don S]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

You have a Borg Warner Velvet drive gear box. Got that from the engine serial number.<br />Anyway, have you disconnected the shift cable from the transmission and tried shifting the gear box only to see if it works without the cable?

 

[workingontan]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

Yeah. Cable is disconnected. The shift lever on the gearbox moves smoothly, but still shows same problems.

 

[Don S]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

Sounds like it's time to get the tranny out, dissassembled, and inspected.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

Yep, probably ran it in forward with the shifter not fully in gear. Caused low forward pressure and allowed the forward clutch pack to slip thus welding the clutches together from the heat.

 

[workingontan]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

That's what I kinda thought - I just don't know much about transmissions, so I wanted a second opinion before I went too far. Now, the engine is hoisted out, and all six bolts in the rear of the tranny are out, but I still can't get the tranny off. It won't budge. Is there something else holding it on or is it just the gasket?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Transmission stuck in forward

If'n it ain't budging back at all, then the machine fit where the transmission goes into the bellhousing is where its stuck. Just get a pry bar and stick it between the mount and the bellhousing and see if it won't move back. Sometimes the bellhousing corrodes and seizes the lip on the transmission. Every so often I'll get one rusted into the drive couplier but it will still move back a bit before it stops.