ZF63 replacement?

DB360

DB360

Active Member
Feb 25, 2010
267
CAPE CORAL, FL.
Boat Info
360 SUNDANCER 2004
BOW THRUSTER
AXIOM 12 RV
EVOLUTION 200 AUTOPILOT
Engines
YANMAR DIESEL 315'S
8 KW KOHLER
4 HP JOHNSON
Sounding like a bag of ball pien hammers inside and a small fluid leak. No indication during last trip. Calvery coming tomorrow. After 17 years, I guess I can't complain!
 
Hold on now.....
The ZF is a beefy trans.
They can make some terrible noises like your saying but, related to the engine.
If the engine isn’t running smoothly, it’ll make the trans sound like there’s teeth missing and rattling around inside!
 
My ZF85 replacement was $7000 for the trans and $2000 for labor
 
DB360 said:
Sounding like a bag of ball pien hammers inside and a small fluid leak. No indication during last trip. Calvery coming tomorrow. After 17 years, I guess I can't complain!
Click to expand...

My assumption is that you've got the ZF 63IV V-Drive set up. ZF has upgraded this model to the ZF68IV. The 63s are pretty bulletproof, but once they break, there's no repairing them. I lost my transmission as the result of a prop strike.

I'm in California, but ended up getting advice from and purchasing the transmission from Transmission Marine in Ft Lauderdale. Bill Homenuk is a wealth of knowledge and was very easy to deal with. They even painted it black (they come from the factory with bare aluminum) at no charge. I saved 1000 bucks buying it through them and having it shipped all the way to Los Angeles. I ended up getting the transmission at the yard, in Marina del Rey, within about 10 days of ordering it.

Mercury sells a branded version of the 63IV, but it's at least another 1500 for the same older model transmission with the Mercury name and paint on it.

These are a POA to install due to the v-drive set up, but we were able to do it without having to remove the engine. I would replace the oil cooler at the same time. If you don't, at the very least flush the cooler and the oil lines. You don't want the old oil going into the new tranny.


Bill Homenuk
Transmission Marine Inc
223 S.W. 33rd court
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33315
954-467-1540
www.marinegears.com
 
Air O'Nautical said:
Hold on now.....
The ZF is a beefy trans.
They can make some terrible noises like your saying but, related to the engine.
If the engine isn’t running smoothly, it’ll make the trans sound like there’s teeth missing and rattling around inside!
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate?
 
bfernald0 said:
My assumption is that you've got the ZF 63IV V-Drive set up. ZF has upgraded this model to the ZF68IV. The 63s are pretty bulletproof, but once they break, there's no repairing them. I lost my transmission as the result of a prop strike.

I'm in California, but ended up getting advice from and purchasing the transmission from Transmission Marine in Ft Lauderdale. Bill Homenuk is a wealth of knowledge and was very easy to deal with. They even painted it black (they come from the factory with bare aluminum) at no charge. I saved 1000 bucks buying it through them and having it shipped all the way to Los Angeles. I ended up getting the transmission at the yard, in Marina del Rey, within about 10 days of ordering it.

Mercury sells a branded version of the 63IV, but it's at least another 1500 for the same older model transmission with the Mercury name and paint on it.

These are a POA to install due to the v-drive set up, but we were able to do it without having to remove the engine. I would replace the oil cooler at the same time. If you don't, at the very least flush the cooler and the oil lines. You don't want the old oil going into the new tranny.


Bill Homenuk
Transmission Marine Inc
223 S.W. 33rd court
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33315
954-467-1540
www.marinegears.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for the lead with Bill H.
I have the "63 V-drive" and that it is not cost effective to repair vs new. Have heard about the upgrade on "68". A few other issues to be taken care of during the engine / tranny removal. Can barely get your hand under the engine and don't think using a tool under there!
 
Are you sure its not the damper plate? If the springs are failing/or missing, you will get that sound. Usually will quiet down with an increase in engine RPM.

Looks like this. Any debris inside the bell housing??

upload_2021-3-13_9-49-18.png


You still have to separate the engine from the transmission to get to them, but a damper plate is a couple hundred, not several thousand $.

I have used Transmision Marine as well and they have treated me right!
 
Good info dtfeld,
Being a "V-drive" and not having enough room to disassemble unless engine / tranny is removed from the boat, can't tell at this point what is causing the problem.
You might be spot on and I know it needs to have seals replaced. So I guess we'ii see what happens went it's out of the boat.
 
Just an update.
New "68" tranny installed in April and about 25 hours of cruise time put on since then. Doing the first oil change on it this weekend. Happy with choice and piece of mind!
 
DB360 said:
Just an update.
New "68" tranny installed in April and about 25 hours of cruise time put on since then. Doing the first oil change on it this weekend. Happy with choice and piece of mind!
Click to expand...


Is that recommended? Maybe is should change mine at 25 hrs
 
bfernald0 said:
Is that recommended? Maybe is should change mine at 25 hrs
Click to expand...

Believe it's in the manual that came with the tranny. And for the few dollars after the replacement cost, to me well worth the dollars!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,186
Messages
1,428,173
Members
61,097
Latest member
Mdeluca407
Back
Top