Glendenning Synchronizer not sync'ing

[400 EC Michigan]

Hello everyone! Looking for help with Glendenning synchronizer on my boat (1997 450 Sundancer with CAT 3126 engines). Issue is when I activate the synchronize with the engines at a fast idle, the starboard (slave engine) immediately begins to accelerate to max RPM. When I disengage the syncronizer, I am able to bring the port engine to same speed as port engine. When not using synchronizer no issues balancing RPM's between both engines. I am suspecting an issue with the mechanical tach cable (broken?) from starboard engine to synchronizer (or piece between dampener and right angle gearbox). Any other possibilities I should look for? Any concerns with damage inside the synchronizer unit itself? Any issues disconnecting tach cable from synchronizer box?

 

[peterkvs]

Take the cover off of the synchronizer and look inside. You will see two threaded shafts. Start the engines and look at the shafts if they are turning about the same speed then your cables are fine and something else is wrong. There is a cable inside the box that wraps around the mechanism and connects to a screw on the side of the sync. That is the adjustable clutch cable. If it is broken or off the pulleys that might also be your problem. The sync is super simple. I'm guessing that your cable drive is messed up on the starboard engine.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

The manuals and troubleshooting guides are here http://www.glendinningprods.com/products/synchronizer

Pete

 

[920richardf]

My bet would be the flex pin between the crankshaft bolt and the sync drive adapter. The flex pin wears to the point where it doesn't drive the adapter.

 

[400 EC Michigan]

Thanks for the information/confirmation. I will be at the boat this weekend and verify inside the Synchronizer box and look at the drive pin between the engine and right angle drive adapter. I am glad to know the inside of the box is easy to look at. I was concerned i may open the box adn everything would fall into the bilge!! I will send a post this weekend with an update.

 

[Gimme Time]

The flex pin has been redesigned and we replace the Starboard set up about three months ago. Very easy to do and a better set up than the old split sided pin IMHO.

 

[400 EC Michigan]

Well, I got in the engine room Saturday morning and started the starboard engine and checked the flex pin. It was not turning on the starboard engine (slave) and was turning on the port (lead) engine. Turned the engine off and tried to rotate the flex pin and had no problems rotating the flex pin. I then removed the right angle adapter inorder to have better access to the flex pin. The flex pin moved freely in the engine adapter, when i took it out the keyway had no key and was rolled over. Turned the flex pin arround 180 dehgrees to insure the keyway in the adapter was good which it was. I ordered two new flex pins from Glendinning Sunday night and will replace on both engines next weekend. Thansk everyone.