Tranny Ratio Question

[ohiohatteras]

Over my vacation the last week, I got into a heated "discussion" with a so called "expert" on transmissions. The detail in questiuon is the ratio on my Paragon trannys. My 1976 36C Hatt has 454 Marine Power engines and Paragon trannys with 1 1/2 in shafts. Based on the plaque mounted on the tranny, I told the "expert" that my trannys were 1.5 to 1 reduction. He says that they are 2.6 to 1 and that the 1.5 plaque is the model number???
Can anybody out there give me some good ammo to shut down the expert?
Thanks
Todd

 

[Genesis]

Got a phototach?

Shoot the pully, then the shaft. End of argument.

 

[Boatsb]

.45ok?????

Thats the ammo I use on the supposed experts.

 

[jim rosenthal]

My 36C had 454 Mercruisers (original were 427 Chevrolets) and BW72 gears, which were 1.9:1 ratio. It is unlikely you have anything other than 1.5 or 1.9 gears. I don't know whether Paragon gears were available in 2.6 ratio, but even if they were, it would be a very unusual choice.

Karl is correct, though- the only way to tell short of taking things apart and counting teeth is to photo-tach the engine vibration damper and then the prop shaft, without changing the throttle setting.

If you care about the expert that much. You might do it for your own curiosity. Do both engines while you're in there.

Your boat will go faster after you throw the expert overboard. It's amazing how much dead weight you can find in someone who's full of hot air.

 

[Boss Lady]

better yet, tell him to go under the boat and count the prop rotations as you will count the engine rotations while bumping the starter. Let us know if he falls for it.