New User- Big Problem!

[Thadd]

I have a 1988 TriStar 220 with an INDMAR 351 and a Velvet Drive 1.5/1 transmission. This weekend I was getting a grinding sound from the starter while starting the boat. The starter then failed completely. I removed the starter and found pieces of a 1/2 inch. diameter spring in the housing where the starter connects to the flywheel. I thought it was the spring from the starter so I cleaned it up and put a new starter on. Drove the boat for about 2 hours when more problems arose. When I was slowing down I heard a clunking sound for about 2 seconds. When I went to hit it again after that the engine revved way up but did not go into gear. I could not get it to go forward or in reverse. After getting towed in to the dock I tried starting it again and got the same grinding noise as before. I pulled the new starter off and found more larger chunks of spring some rubber seal material and also other chunks of metal in the housing where the starter connects to the flywheel.

Any ideas on what the problem might be? What could the springs and metal be coming from, it is not the starter... could the metal and no movement be connected? Thanks for any help.......

Thadd Westfall :confused:

[J. Patterson]

Your torque plate has stripped. You will have to pul the transmission to replace it. It is just a $150.00 or so part, but it takes a bit of work to get to it.

Sorry,
John Patterson

[east tx skier]

And J. Patterson hits the ground running with the most concise/insightful first post in the history of the forum. Welcome.

[OhioProstar]

No kidding. He keep folding until Pocket Aces and then Bam....all in.

Thadd, good luck with the rebuild, replace as many parts as possible while you have the tranny out of the boat.

[Ric]

there is a '99 trans listed for sale in the neverending threadjack thread FWIW

edit
never mind I misread you and thought yours was a 98
I dont have any idea if 99 model trans will work on 88 model
sorry

[Thadd]

I just finished pulling the tranny and seeing the carnage of the torque plate remains before I read your replies. I pulled what was left of it off the flywheel. Next question, Where do I find a new one. Thanks for the help. I will update my progress.
Thadd Westfall

[ski_king]

I would call skidim.com they can help you. Many of the dealers can help you as well.

[Thadd]

I will check skidim.com. I am hoping to get it put back togather by the weekend, So I will also call dealers in the state. Thanks
thadd Westfall

[parks_jr_55]

Call Stengl Marine in Minocqua. It would be about a 1.5 hour drive.

Maybe Heckels would have it? Not sure.

[Thadd]

I will check Stengels. I live right by heckels, dought they will be able to help.

[zberger]

would the flywheel need to be machined in this case?

[Brn85ss]

Just did my damper plate.Make sure and check your ring gear on the fly wheel,oil seals on the trans and the rear main on the engine.Fly wheel does not have to be machined unless it was damaged,then it should be checked for balance.The ring gear will wear teeth in 90 degree points so make sure you check them. Good luck

[PeteS]

I will check skidim.com. I am hoping to get it put back togather by the weekend, So I will also call dealers in the state. Thanks
thadd Westfall
It's tough to find prices better than DIM, even with shipping costs. If the below part is what you need, they have it. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes:

http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=R140001

[Thadd]

do you need any special allignment tool to install new pressure plate

[6ballsisall]

No special tools needed. Take the old one off, install the new damper plate and presto! I would recommend taking a brillo pad or something like that and just wiping the surface smooth and taking any surface rust off

[Thadd]

I found a new damper plate at Richs Board Sports in Madison for 139.00 and he had it in stock and is soposed to be better than orriginal. I ran down there and picked it up this afternoon and am going to start putting it back tofather now. I will update my progress tonight.
Thadd Westfall

[Thadd]

damper plate is in and tranny is back on. Starter will be done on friday. I will know friday night if everything is good and post my results.
Thadd Westfall

[parks_jr_55]

Just curious, What did Stengl say?

[Thadd]

Stengl said they could order one but did not have one in stock

[Thadd]

Back in business, put starter on last night and put about 2 hours on boat. No vibration and no problems.

[6ballsisall]

Glad to here it Thadd!!