HBW 50 Transmission replacement

13 posts / 0 new
Last post
Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38
HBW 50 Transmission replacement

Hi all, I am in need of replacing my Hurth HBW 50 transmission and am looking at new Twin Disc TMC 40 P that comes with a one year warranty and sells for $1,198.00. I would like to know if anyone has heard or had any experience with this brand. Thanks in advance.
Tim

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

clennox's picture
clennox
Offline
Joined: 3/31/14
Posts: 212

I had one in another boat using a Beta engine. I liked it and had no problems.
I do remember a discussion about someone trying to use this transmission and it wouldn't fit for some reason. You might want to search for this info. I know they have been used in the 36 before.
When it's time I will be using the TMC in my boat.

Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611

Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

Thanks for the response, The only issue I can see is the shifter is on the port side of the transmission on the TMC 40 and on the starboard side on the HBW 50 but the sells person assures me that the shift cable will be able to make the bend with no problem. I have searched this forum and could not find any information on the subject.
Thanks again,
Tim

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

newguy's picture
newguy
Offline
Joined: 8/1/11
Posts: 408

Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor

Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

Thanks Nick,
Not sure what year Channel Islander is but the hull # 0255 seems to be much older than mine and looking at my transmission area I don't think there will be a problem with space. I will have to reroute the shift cable for the port side of the transmission and the output shaft on the transmission is 3mm higher than on the HBW 50 but I think that is it. Fingers crossed.
Tim

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

LCBrandt's picture
LCBrandt
Offline
Joined: 6/26/07
Posts: 1282

Tim, if you do this transmission change out, we would all be grateful if you would document with lots of photos along the way and then write it up for the C36IA's Technical - Upgrades archive. Thanks so much.

Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
 

Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

Larry, I have limited time and will have to do this in short burst but I always take photos so I can remember where things went, just not sure they will be of posting quality. Will post if time permits.
 Tim

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

Hi all, 
After a full season of use I can say that the Twin Disc transmission has worked well. I replaced the engine mounts at the same time and after lining the shaft up things are very smooth. Very happy with my choice and the customer service Stanley at Bata Marine here in North Carolina gave me was top notch.   

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

down_shift
Offline
Joined: 8/16/14
Posts: 65

I had a TMC 40 installed last year (along with new motor mounts, R&D drive saver, SS prop shaft, PSS, and cutlass bearing).  Connecting the supplied shift cable bracket was problematic and required additional fabrication to install a bellcrank to accept the shifter cable on the flat and actuate the shifter lever on the side of the transmission.  While the transmission works great, moving the shifter from R-N-F requires perhaps 1/3 the travel as before.  Lost are the positive detents.  IMO, it is no longer safe for someone new at the helm.  An acquired feel is necessary.  I will adjust the linkages (moving the linkage to the transmission closer to the pivot point on the bellcrank) this spring.  This should improve the shifter travel and "feeling" the detents.
After seeing these photos, I'm kicking myself for not cleaning the area and applying some fresh bilge paint.  Add it to the list this spring!

Russell Green
S/V "GoodwiII"  #759
1987 C36 MKI TR/WK M25XP
Moored: Deale, MD

Attachments
Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

I did basically the same thing minus the SS prop shaft and the PSS shaft seal but for the shift cable bracket I simply cut off a piece of the old bracket and bolted it to the new one to allow the cable to align with the transmission shift arm that I rotated 180 and it works very smooth, I can feel the positive detents and the travel is the same as it was before. Overall I am very happy with my installation but like you I whish I had taken more time to do some cleaning while I had the tranny out.  

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

Attachments
down_shift
Offline
Joined: 8/16/14
Posts: 65

Tim,
Great photos, thanks for posting.  Before purchasing the TMC, they provided the HWB 50 to TMC conversion drawings for the Catalina 34/36 that depicts the shifter lever pointing down as yours is installed.  My hull did not have adequate clearance for the shifter lever to point down.  You can see where the engine mount rail is ground out a little bit.  Even if the shifter could point down, its throw would be in contact with the motor mount mounting hardware and bottom of the hull.  Perhaps the '87 used a shorter bellhousing or the XP-25 sits lower.
Warning to others.

Russell Green
S/V "GoodwiII"  #759
1987 C36 MKI TR/WK M25XP
Moored: Deale, MD

Attachments
Mother Ocean's picture
Mother Ocean
Offline
Joined: 6/4/15
Posts: 38

I see the difference Russell. The bell housing has an inboard and a outboard rear mounting hole. Mine is in the outboard hole and yours is in the inboard hole restricting the amount of room available. I guess this is one of the small changes made through the years.

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

down_shift
Offline
Joined: 8/16/14
Posts: 65

Thanks, Tim.  That explains the difference. Good intel for others.  Once I modify my linkages to reproduce the full shifter throw, I will draft of a sketch of the final configuration that works well with the earlier style bellhousing. 

Russell Green
S/V "GoodwiII"  #759
1987 C36 MKI TR/WK M25XP
Moored: Deale, MD

Log in or register to post comments