Engine dies when transmission engaged.

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Rockxx
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Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:39 pm

Engine dies when transmission engaged.

Post by Rockxx »

Good evening to all,

My son took his 1977 37', twin 360 sedan out this past weekend and after a successful short cruise, drifted for a while. Both engines restarted but the port died immediately when put into gear, both forward and reverse, regardless of the rpm. Restarted numerous times with no problem but died immediately upon gear engagement. I told him that I suspected the neutral switch but having no experience with one, have no idea what to check. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Regards to all,
Rockxx
1972 28' express "Safari"
Single Chrysler 318
Center Hill Lake, Tennessee
EWRice
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Re: Engine dies when transmission engaged.

Post by EWRice »

Smell the trans fluid. It sounds like the trans might be bound up because of internal failure. I've seen a few velvet drives do this, but they usually lock in forward and stall when shifted into reverse.

Could be something caught in prop. Grab the prop shaft and see if it can be turned by hand. Neutral safety switch is only tied into the starting circuit, not the ignition, so that should have no effect.
Muskegon Lake
1972 32' Express flybridge
"AL13"
Twin 318s
On board air & prime 920
1963 Thompson Super Sea Lancer
Graymarine 327
1961 Alumacraft 12'
'55 10hp Johnson
Fastjeff
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Location: Rock Halll, MD

Re: Engine dies when transmission engaged.

Post by Fastjeff »

.."Could be something caught in prop"

That's my guess as well. Kinda cold to go over the side with a knife in your teeth (like a pirate) but that's what you need to do.

Jeff

PS: If there is something wrapped around the prop, it's BAD news slipping her into gear.
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
ddependo
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Re: Engine dies when transmission engaged.

Post by ddependo »

Rope around prop ,has happened to me twice. Keep a special rope cutting knife on board and a harness I made to tie me to the boat. I was in a strong current once and had to tie a rope around my waist.
Wayne
1973 32 express fly bridge
Chattanooga
"Southern Lady"
balthaus
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Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:27 pm
Location: Southern Indiana / Louisville

Re: Engine dies when transmission engaged.

Post by balthaus »

Our 32 was wayyyyyy over propped, and still is, when we bought her.
Had the exact same problem. Tuned and timed motors...good last part of last season...we shall see for this season.
Hoping to get stock props soon.
1984 32' Sedan FB
Twin Chrysler 360's
1.52:1 Velvet Drives
Raw water cooled
Ohio River
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