FAQ

RICE MARINE, INC.
YOUR MARINE TRANSMISSION SOURCE

FAQ

RICE MARINE, INC.
2221 Magnolia Drive
DeLand, Florida, 32724
386-717-5225
Service@boatgears.net

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

   1. Q. I don't have a taq on my transmission, how can I tell what it is?
       A. Go to our section on Determining Models

   2. Q. Why can't I use an automatic car transmission in my boat?
        A. All the push developed by the propeller is applied to the output bearing of the marine transmission. It is
             designed to handle this force. A car or truck transmission is not designed to have any push applied to
             the output bearing.

   3. Q. What if I install a bearing between the car transmission and the prop shaft?
        A. I haven't tried it but I've been told that an automatic transmission will go up through the gears then start
             to shift back and forth between the top two gears. If using auto transmissions was a viable option then
             I'm sure boat builders would have gone to them long ago as they were cheaper that boat transmissions!

   4. Q. How about using a stick shift auto transmission?
        A. Consider the linkage required both for the clutch and the shift. Such an arrangement would be difficult on
             anything larger than a ski boat.

   5.  Q. What is meant by Left Hand (LH) and Right Hand (RH) rotation?
        A.  An engine that is turning counter-clockwise from the rear, the top of the flywheel turns to the left,
             is called a Left Hand engine. It is also called automobile rotation or standard rotation.
             An engine that turns clockwise from the rear, the top of the flywheel turns to the right, is called a
             Right Hand (RH) engine. They are also called marine rotation or counter rotation.

   6.  Q. Why is the replacement of the fluid cooler required by the warranty?
       A. Because of baffels built into almost all fluid coolers total clean out is almost impossible. Leftover
            particles in the cooler can break loose and go through the transmission. Also over time corrosion
            and scale can build up on the inside of the cooler and reduce heat transfer.

   A. FAQ's about Velvet Drive & Borg-Warner Marine Transmissions:

       Q. Is it true that you can run Borg-Warner/Velvet Drive marine transmissions with either LH or RH
            engines?
       A. Some models will operate with either LH or RH engines if the pump is set to match the engine
           rotation. Some models are made to only operate with LH engines. See the Rotation Guide page
           for a list of models that will and will not work with both rotations.

       Q. How can I make my Velvet Drive transmission reverse its output rotation in forward?
       A. You can't on models 71C, 72C, 1017, 1018, 1013, 1014, 1004 & 1005. The reason is that, except
            for certain models specifically designed to reverse the output rotation in forward, the reverse gear
            is not made to handle speed higher than idle RPM.  Reversal or non-reversal of rotation between
            input and output is due to the internal layout of the gear reduction section and it is not changeable
            without changing the reverse pinion carrier and/or all the reduction gearing. This option is normally
            more expensive than replacing the transmission.  See the Rotation Guide page or call us for specific
            rotation information.

       Q. I have a sailboat, will it hurt my Velvet Drive transmission to free-wheel when I am under sail?
       A. Free-wheeling is not recommended. All Velvet Drive / Borg-Warner Marine Transmissions require
           the engine to be running to deliver lubrication to the various bearing and gears.