Transmission rebuilder needed - spare parts sources

[jen1722terry]

Happy Holidays, fellow owners!

As a few of you may recall, our transmission died last season. As we were in Nova Scotia where parts are slow to arrive, we ordered a new one.

Now, we want to get the old one rebuilt as a spare. This may seem like overkill, but we sail in some odd places in Maritime Canada and also hope to get down to the Bahamas in a few years, where parts are very, very expensive to import.

So, if any of you know of a reliable transmission rebuilder, please let us know. The model is a ZF-10M-R.

Thanks in advance

Jenn and Terry

[shinchman]

I have been on a similar quest, as the Hurth HBW-50 in my Cape Dory 27 failed last summer. Here is what I have learned and the sources in the Northeast for new/rebuilt transmissions:

Hurth was bought out and the HBW-50 was replaced by the ZF-5 and then ZF-6, which went out of production about 8-10 years ago. Currently, the closest replacement is the ZF-10 (your model), but it is 1" longer than the HBW=50, which for me would require modifications to the drive shaft and/or engine mounts.

As far as sources for tranny's:

1.) Sound Marine Diesel LLC, recommended going with the Twin Disc TMC-40, for $1198 plus shift cable and bracket, damper plate. The TMC-40 is a direct, bolt-on replacement for the old Hurth HBW-50 (about 0.16" longer) (www.SoundMarineDiesel.com phone & fax (860) 666-2184). They also have sizes closer to the ZF-10. This may be cheaper and better than rebuilding your old ZF-10 (rebuilds are pricy!).

2.) Atlantis Marine Gear Supply LLC, stocks and rebuilds the HBW-50 (no price quote), and has a new ZF-10 for $1,699 -- 418 Boston St., Topsfield, Ma. 01983 (978) 887-0001; chris@amgs.com; marinetransmissions.com

3.) Trans Atlantic Diesel, Inc. offered a new ZF-10 for $1735. I did not get a price on a rebuild from them. (www.tad123.com or (T) 804-642-9296)[/list][/list]

4.) There is always Foley...

Best of luck,

Steve

[jen1722terry]

Thanks so very much for the useful info, Steve.

That first option (TMC-40 from Sound Marine) looks like a good deal. I'm not crazy about the short (4-years) life of our old ZF-10 transmission anyway. Granted, we only changed the fluid twice a year - which should have been adequate but wasn't - and we used the engine a great deal in our travels the last three summers, but some other members have noted that the newer ZF transmissions have more fragile thrust washers (coated bronze vs. solid bronze on the old ones). So, if I can get a new one to pack as a spare for much less than the price of a rebuild, I will.

Thanks again for the detailed advice.

And, of course, a very happy holidays to you and your family. Spring and boat yard time will be hear soon enough.

Terry