Walter v drive

C

cmariner32

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My 89 Carver Santego has Walter V drive model 40's. The Crusader manual for this year and configuration spec 80-90 weight gear lube while the Walter V drive manual specs 30 weight oil. Over the last 4 years of ownership, I have used both weights in the drives without a problem. Can anyone provide acurate information as to what is the correct lubricant-especially considering the age of the drives?
 
I had a Santego and had nothing but problems with the Walters. Having said that, they are in NJ and are very helpful. Why not just give them a call?
 
This is from a Merc Tech manual and references , amongst others, the Walter RV-26D V-Drive . (No mention of "Model 40".)
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/techbk/97/97hga8.pdf

On p. 8A-11, It specs a choice of fluids:
SAE 30W Heavy Duty Motor Oil
Exxon Spartan EP-68 Gear Oil
APG 80 Gear Oil

This one from Walter lists on p. 4 the same 3 choices for the V-drive model RV-40 & 40D:
http://www.dublerfamily.com/Regina_...r V-Drive Installation and Service Manual.PDF
So, if you have no problem with your present fluid , I'd think you might as well use the same.
 
My 'new to me' '90 Santego also has Walter V drives... not sure of the model, but can tell you that mine also specs 30 weight oil. Motor oil is what they appear to have in them.
Not understanding exactly what to use, caused me not to change the oil in them this year, and the boat was hauled last week. Fortunately, whatever's in them seems up to level, and is very clean looking.
 
Sandy..thanks for the link-that is a much more comprehensive PDF than the manual I downloaded for my RV 40. It looks like either oil-30w or 80-90 gear lube will work. I was just concerned that the gear lube was much heavier than than the 30w oil. I've got a shaft seal leak that I will have to deal with this winter-I had the port V drive seal replaced 3 years ago at a cost of several tens of bucks when I first bought the boat. Does anyone know if this is a DYI job for an old man with mechanical skills but physical ablilities waning? I have to haul the boat this winter for a bottom job, runnig gear tune-up and anywhere I can save a few bucks by busting a few knuckles I feel I need to. Thoughts and input appreciated.
 
Sorry, Rick , I don't have any hands-on experience with v-drives.

FWIW , I know just from watching a marine mechanic friend, with Velvet Drive 71C & 72C straight drives the aft output shaft seal can be changed with tranny in place by backing off the prop shaft removing the coupler, prying out the old seal with a seal hook , lubing shaft& sliding on the new seal and tamping it in place with a suitable short piece of pipe or similar device. It took about 20-30 minutes, but a v-drive may be a different story depending on access at least.
Maybe check with Walter?
 
Thanks for the additional info. I'm still up in the air about making replacing the seal a DIY project. Wish there was sommeone out there that could provide some actual knowledge of the procedure.
 
quote:
Originally posted by cmariner32

Sandy..thanks for the link-that is a much more comprehensive PDF than the manual I downloaded for my RV 40. It looks like either oil-30w or 80-90 gear lube will work. I was just concerned that the gear lube was much heavier than than the 30w oil. I've got a shaft seal leak that I will have to deal with this winter-I had the port V drive seal replaced 3 years ago at a cost of several tens of bucks when I first bought the boat. Does anyone know if this is a DYI job for an old man with mechanical skills but physical ablilities waning? I have to haul the boat this winter for a bottom job, runnig gear tune-up and anywhere I can save a few bucks by busting a few knuckles I feel I need to. Thoughts and input appreciated.

Click to expand...

BTW, the leaking seals is exactly the problem I had with mine. I had them pulled and rebuilt at Walter and they continued to leak. They had to go back for a second rebuild a year later and continued to leak.
 
I have heard that Walter V drives were bullet proof-but I also heard that same comment about Volvo stern drives which I also had chronic issues with in a previously owned boat. AM, you're not givin me a warm fuzzy sharing you experience with the drives, but others real experience is more appreciated than my having a warm fuzzy-a well stocked bar can provide me with a similar warm fuzzy at a far reduced price.
 
I had a pair of Walter RV-40 V drives in my Mainship. I had no problems of any kind in the 6 years I owned the boat. The drives were both new and installed when I re-powered the boat. I always used straight 30 weight in mine.
 
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