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5432 Hurth 100 transmission question

Chrisr

Junior Member
I recently replaced the shift and throttle cables on my 1987 35-3. I have never had any problems with the transmission. Upon changing the cables I noted that the shift lever on the transmission is probably at approximately 45 degrees in neutral, with the full range of the shift lever at 10 degrees to 80 degrees. The Hurth manual states that neutral should be at 0 degrees. The shift lever is not lose. The engine was rebuilt in 2014 and I suspect there were some adjustments involving the transmission at that time. Out side of the stiff cables I have never had any problems in shifting the transmission. I do have a couple of questions

1. Although I recognize that neutral at 0 degrees on the transmission shift lever is the preferred location is there any harm with the current location as described above, if it has been shifting without incident?

2. After the shift cable was disconnected I moved the shift lever on the transmission to make sure that the shift lever was not the problem. It moved freely, without any type of resistance through the full range of motion. There was nothing to indicate in the range of motion to show that you were in reverse, neutral or forward. It moved freely. Since I had not had any type of transmission problem, prior to the cable change, I am assuming that, once the engine is running, the hydraulic action and the shifting of the gears will cause the engagement of the prop in forward and reverse?

Thanks,
Chris
 

bigd14

Contributing Partner
Blogs Author
After the shift cable was disconnected I moved the shift lever on the transmission to make sure that the shift lever was not the problem. It moved freely, without any type of resistance through the full range of motion. There was nothing to indicate in the range of motion to show that you were in reverse, neutral or forward. It moved freely.
I have the smaller cousin the HB 50 and there is a some resistance between F-N-R. Not much, kind of a smooth clunk. I am not sure if the innards are similar between our models, but it seems like you should feel something. Maybe try manually rotating the shaft in gear and out and see if the transmission engages. There is clearly a difference in resistance on my prop shaft when the transmission is engaged.
 

Chrisr

Junior Member
Thanks. The boat is out of the water at the moment so I have not done any of this with the engine running. The prop shaft only turns to the right. It doesn’t make any difference where I position the shift lever. That’s why I’m wondering if the engine need to be running to engage. As I said no problems before. All I did was change the cable with the same connections9D83BA8E-D323-4D4D-8572-9374C274F290.jpeg3481FE4D-30A0-4AA6-9255-884FDEC57BAC.jpeg
 

Pete the Cat

Member III
I recently replaced the shift and throttle cables on my 1987 35-3. I have never had any problems with the transmission. Upon changing the cables I noted that the shift lever on the transmission is probably at approximately 45 degrees in neutral, with the full range of the shift lever at 10 degrees to 80 degrees. The Hurth manual states that neutral should be at 0 degrees. The shift lever is not lose. The engine was rebuilt in 2014 and I suspect there were some adjustments involving the transmission at that time. Out side of the stiff cables I have never had any problems in shifting the transmission. I do have a couple of questions

1. Although I recognize that neutral at 0 degrees on the transmission shift lever is the preferred location is there any harm with the current location as described above, if it has been shifting without incident?

2. After the shift cable was disconnected I moved the shift lever on the transmission to make sure that the shift lever was not the problem. It moved freely, without any type of resistance through the full range of motion. There was nothing to indicate in the range of motion to show that you were in reverse, neutral or forward. It moved freely. Since I had not had any type of transmission problem, prior to the cable change, I am assuming that, once the engine is running, the hydraulic action and the shifting of the gears will cause the engagement of the prop in forward and reverse?

Thanks,
Chris
I think something is wrong. All the Hurths are similar in construction (size of plates and bearing are the difference). There should be a detent feel for FWD and another for Neutral and another for reverse. Very important that your gear lever does not allow the transmission to be only partially in the detent of the gear you choose. The Hurths are not particularly robust machines and running them with gears not completely engaged is a fast way to ruin them. If the lever does not sense detents, even with the engine not running, I think there is something wrong. Hard to diagnose without feeling the thing.
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
For comparison, I have a Hurth 100 and 5432. There's a definite detent for neutral. The lever position is a few degrees aft from vertical, with plenty of wiggle so you can be sure you're in neutral. A shift to a gear provides a satisfying "clunk".

This is true whether engine running or not.
 

Chrisr

Junior Member
Thank you. I think your right. There is no feeling on the shift lever. It’s feels almost as if the shift lever broke inside the housing since there is no feeling on the lever. I’m having a hard time finding someone to pull the transmission although quite a few are willing to rebuild or sell me a new one. I was looking at it this morning and it appears there is good access if I wish to attempt it.

I read some information today, though, that said on an 1982 5432 you have to pull the engine to remove the transmission because it is bolted on from inside the flywheel. Hopefully, not accurate for my 1987 engine. The quest continues
 

Alan Gomes

Sustaining Partner
quite a few are willing to rebuild or sell me a new one.
If it does come down to that, consider replacement with an entirely different brand of transmission. The Hurth transmissions are not worth rebuilding.

I believe there are discussion threads on this topic on EYO that discuss alternatives. There certainly are on some of the other sailing fora.
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
One thing to check is that the shift lever on the transmission is not loose.

MIne appears to be held on by compression, I don't know if there's a keyway as well.

They're reversible, to point up or down, so the connection could potentially be an issue.

shifter 2.JPG
 

JSM

Member III
I read some information today, though, that said on an 1982 5432 you have to pull the engine to remove the transmission because it is bolted on from inside the flywheel. Hopefully, not accurate for my 1987 engine. The quest continues
Replaced the Hurth 50 on our M25xp with a Twin Disc MG340 last year. I had to pull the engine out into the galley so that I had enough room to remove the bell housing from the engine. The trans is bolted to the bell housing from the inside of the housing. Once the bell housing is off the the engine replacing the trans and installing the new damper plate goes quick. I had everything bolted back together in less than an hour.
 

Pete the Cat

Member III
Replaced the Hurth 50 on our M25xp with a Twin Disc MG340 last year. I had to pull the engine out into the galley so that I had enough room to remove the bell housing from the engine. The trans is bolted to the bell housing from the inside of the housing. Once the bell housing is off the the engine replacing the trans and installing the new damper plate goes quick. I had everything bolted back together in less than an hour.
Did it fit in the same space?
 
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