V drive fluid

[Art]

Howdy UNI Lovers!

Recently I purchased a real nice 1973 31' twin screw Uniflite sedan/
sport-fish fly bridge. It was repowered 1989 with Chris Craft Marine
350 cid 235 hp engines (currently 270 hrs on each - this baby's been
pampered - entire boat is like new) It appears (from down loading
schematics that clearly, visually match the boat's trany and v drive
configurations) that it has Paragon transmissions and v drives.
However, no reference on any schematic is made to fluid used in the v
drive or how to check v drive fluid level. They do mention ATF for
transmission but do not mention fluid exchange between trany and v
drive (although there are hoses that connect one to the other – I do
not know if they carry lubricating or hydraulic fluid between each).

My statement and questions follow:

STATEMENT: I've stood on my head and pushed my head and hands into
every possible angle to find a dip stick or fluid check area on both
side's v drive units (while using bright lights and adjustable angle
mirrors on extensions), I cannot locate an area or bolt or otherwise
to check level or to add fluid on either v drive. That said; there is
a dip stick on each transmission that shows level of ATF.

QUESTIONS: Do the Paragon v drive work off the ATF fluid level in the
transmissions? Or, is there a fluid level check/fill area on each v
drive? And, if so, where is it located what fluid is used in Paragon
v drives... 30W oil / or 90W or....???

Your input is appreciated!

Happy UNI boating! - Art - 415.488.4044 / grtm...@pacbell.net (feel
free to call or email me to discuss)

[Jerry M. Hammel]

IF YOU NEED ANY INFO TRANSMISSION MARINE IN FT LAUDERDALE FL HAS WHAT YOU NEED. PARTS SPEC SHEETS ETC.

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[Art]

Thanks, Jerry! Yesterday I was in contact with a very helpful fellow,
Boyd Jackson at AMGS Marine Transmissions and Service (978) 887 -
0001, www.marinetransmissions.com. Since that call I've taken picts
of transmission and v drive and will send to Boyd at his request and
for his counsel. From what I can tell so far...it appears I have a
31' 1973 Uni with crisp running, 270 hour usage 350 cid 235 hp Chris
Craft engines hooked up to Paragon Reverse Gear Transmissions but
connected to a different brand v drive. This 31' UNI is the first v
drive I've owned, all rest have been straight drive (I currently also
own a real pretty 1977 Tollycraft 34' tri cabin with twin 350
Mercruisers). Also, two days ago I spoke with Bob Moors at his shop
(he's one of Uniflite's originators, alongside Art Nordtvedt). I'll
call Bob again, he's going out back of his shop to look at v drives on
two 31'ers he has there. Bob's a great guy to speak with.

So... Noticed you mention Freeport. I was born in Freeport LI NY.
Brought up in North Merrick; Roydon Drive West - off Jerusalem Ave.
Now I'm San Francisco Bay area, in Marin County, 30 minutes north of
SF city. Late 50's through 1960's I worked in Freeport and South
Merrick boat yards on Woodcleft, Hudson Canals and other areas.
Sunshine Boat Yard and Ed Waunakee’s (last name may be spelled
wrongly, but pronunciation is correct) yard on Hudson as well as Ted
Lang Boat Sales on Woodcleft are names that come to mind. I even
worked in Ted Lang's short lived new boat construction enterprise -
Maine Coast Ship Builders; up in Rockland Maine - early 1970's. My
dad, Sam Burtis became Ted's purchasing agent at Maine Coast Ship
Builders. That whole scene is a heck of a story. Anyway, If you'd
like to chat give me a call. Art Burtis (415.488-4044. And again,
thanks for your assistance re my v drive UNI questions. :-)

On Nov 18, 11:25 am, "Jerry M. Hammel"

[Jerry M. Hammel]

SMALL WORLD MY DAD WAS JACK HAMMEL WE HAD THE BOAT YEARD ON GROVE AND FRONT STREET HAMMEL'S MARINE CENTER HE WAS THE UNIFLITE DEALER IN TOWN . I KNEW ED AND AND HIS FAMILY, AL GROVER ETC. I WAS A KID BACK THEN . WE LIVED IN MERRICK ON CLUBHOUSE RD. RIGHT ON THR BAY. GREAT VIEW . MERRICK BAY JONES BEACH TOWER . I COULD HEAR THE FREEPORT STOCK CAR RACES FROM OUR PORCH. LOTS OF FUN. I AM NOW IN FLA 33 YRS. ITS GOOD. WAS IN THE BOAT BUSS. FOR 15 YRS AND GOT OUT BURN OUT. THAT IS HOW I LNOW OF TRANSMISSION MARINE. ALSO HE HAS PARTS AND REBUILD THEM ALL WARNER ANE PARAGON ALSO WALTERS. GOOD LUCK WITH THE BOAT THEY ARE THE BEST. IHAVE A VIETNAM BUDDY WHO LIVE IN THE BAY AREA. NED ANY THING LET ME KNOW.

                                                        JERRY HAMMEL