Happy Days, the new rebuilt transmission is back, installed and checked out. The rebuild shop had to adapt available parts from current transmissions to reconfigure my older 2002 transmission, since key 2002 parts are no longer available. They eliminated the "torque limiter" which is what had failed, and then had to fabricate a spacer to install between the transmission and the shaft where the old torque limiter used to sit, so that it would properly connect to my shaft and not affect the distance between the prop and keel.
After the transmission was reinstalled, there were 3 things that I had to attend to: first, I had to realign the engine and shaft mainly because the engine had settled some from when I replaced the engine mounts last summer. Fortunately I had just enough adjustment range on the rear two engine mounts. Second, I had to adjust the shifting cable attachment you can see in the photo on the right. A spacer had slipped out of position where the cable is clamped on and it was allowing the cable to jam (which would have prevented us from shifting when underway). And third, after we went on a short test run, I noted oil slowly dripping under the trans. Upon inspection, it turned out the drain plug had never been tightened. Good thing I discovered that before we got underway south and all the oil drained out of our newly rebuilt transmission.
We can now continue our journey south and hopefully on to the Bahamas, however we realized that we have paid for a month of berthing in Fernandina so why not take advantage of the warm weather and do some more exploring. We walked out to Fort Clinch today and Sue was able to collect shells on the inlet beach.
Next day was a walk into town for transmission oil and fresh fruits and of course a stop at the Amilia Island Brewing Company. Had a terrific coffee stout. May have to go back and pick up a growler of that.
We'll stay here a couple more days then push on south. Our next commitment is Super Bowl party at Tara and Carol's.
