Anyone Have a Turbo 400?

[Tommy Gun Images]

So, last summer I picked up a little Campbell 20' Whaler V-drive. The seller was a friend of a friend of a friend and the word was the boat was mechanically sound, but needed some love cosmetically. As it turns out the boat did need some love cosmetically, mechanically, spiritually, and most certainly financially. While the boat did run fine for the few seconds we ran it on the trailer, I soon found out that those few seconds were the limit of the machine's abilities.
(Before every professional boat buyer on the internet shows up in here with advice on not buying without a sea trial blah, blah, blah, let me just say... save it, we've all heard it.)

Anyway, the fuel system was screwed, the water pumped was cracked, the rudder stuffing box leaked like the Deep Water Horizon, and if it wasn't for Dave at Connelly Marine I would have just lit it on fire in RD's side yard and gone on with my life. Connelly fixed all the known issues in short time and for a very reasonable price. I would recommend them to anyone.

So, now that the boat was running tip top all we should be good to go right? Sadly, no. Upon the maiden voyage of my new found money suck I discovered that while the boat ran and idled great and actually floated, it also sounded like there was rock quarry the bottom of the bilge. Well, the racket was tracked down to the transmission. Some theories were passed around and it was thought that perhaps the flex plate was loose, so some inspection was in order. Today I took a closer look and found the flex plate to be properly intact, but also found an inspection port had be cut into the bell housing (poorly I might add). Here are a couple videos of the noise. In the first video the trans is in neutral and you can hear what sounds like a spun bearing. The next video shows what this anchor sounds like when you shift it into gear...

[video=youtube_https;jS_4fOLf9WM]https://youtu.be/jS_4fOLf9WM[/video]


[video=youtube_https;d-VMEiicp1A]https://youtu.be/d-VMEiicp1A[/video]

Aside from the obvious you will also notice ATF leaking out of the top of the JB welded access hole LOL. Anyway, the trans is junk. Does anyone have a line on an inexpensive Turbo 400? There isn't much power behind it so I don't need anything special. Just something to get this boat on the water.

What say ye?

 

[mjc]

I will check with my friend who owns a transmission shop.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

I will check with my friend who owns a transmission shop.

Thanks!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I will check with my friend who owns a transmission shop.

Wana check with that friend for a 4L60 also? Lol!

 

[HST4ME]

I thought all v drives sound like that?





There is some other work involved than just plopping in a car trans.

 

[wzuber]

just spray some pb blaster on it and then a good chain lube, it'll be fine. haha
I have a th400 I'll sell if you like. As mentioned it's not just a straight swap but most of what's required externally you should have and can swap over unless that too is part of your problem. I believe they also change the valve body and maybe a couple other internal components but not certain on all of that. We are a little far apart geographically but I will be in Big River this weekend and thru next week, I can bring it along and transfer to someone else if that helps should you choose to go this route.
Gotta love a good "it ran perfect when I parked it" boat story from "friends" and the quality condition of their "lightly" used toys. Sorry to hear of the troubles.
The Campbell whalers are a badass boat though, I'm sure I would be in your same shoes if I had been in that situation, always wanted one.

 

[RaceTec]

I will ask around today, knowing my friends someone will have one laying around... Shit, now that I think about it there may be one here at the shop, I guess time to dig...

 

[getreal]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/turbo-400-transmission

 

[coolchange]

Does that have the automotive tailshaft on it or a short plate with a bearing? Never heard a trans soind like that long enough to diagnose. Are your u joint angles reasonable and close to equal and clocked correctly? Might not be the prob but could tear up a trans.

 

[jones performance]

id just have that one rebuilt. sounds like its got some wasted bushings inside.

 

[mjc]

Wana check with that friend for a 4L60 also? Lol!

4l60 or 4l60e? I think I have a 4l60e sitting in the garage

 

[obnoxious001]

I know an old transmission specialist down in Big River.

I did a quick Craigslist search and came up with nothing in the area, did not look in CA.

 

[HavasuHaulin]

I have one in phoenix you can have for free, has 30 k on it needs fluid and filter changed since its been sitting a few years, if someone in Phoenix wants to pick it up and bring it out for you , im at 32nd and Shea area. You may need to swap out the tail, but thats easy. I could bring it out on the 22nd

 

[Flying_Lavey]

4l60 or 4l60e? I think I have a 4l60e sitting in the garage

Sorry, yeah 4L60E.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

just spray some pb blaster on it and then a good chain lube, it'll be fine. haha
I have a th400 I'll sell if you like. As mentioned it's not just a straight swap but most of what's required externally you should have and can swap over unless that too is part of your problem. I believe they also change the valve body and maybe a couple other internal components but not certain on all of that. We are a little far apart geographically but I will be in Big River this weekend and thru next week, I can bring it along and transfer to someone else if that helps should you choose to go this route.
Gotta love a good "it ran perfect when I parked it" boat story from "friends" and the quality condition of their "lightly" used toys. Sorry to hear of the troubles.
The Campbell whalers are a badass boat though, I'm sure I would be in your same shoes if I had been in that situation, always wanted one.

I have one in phoenix you can have for free, has 30 k on it needs fluid and filter changed since its been sitting a few years, if someone in Phoenix wants to pick it up and bring it out for you , im at 32nd and Shea area. You may need to swap out the tail, but thats easy. I could bring it out on the 22nd

Thanks guys! I may be in contact with you!

id just have that one rebuilt. sounds like its got some wasted bushings inside.

The plan was to rebuild this one but whoever cut that access hole on the bell housing got a little over zealous and cut into the case the tried to fix it with JB weld. You can see it leaking in the second video.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Have a trans shop go though the trans, cheap fix. T400s aren't exactly a rare trans, if you need a new case, they are readily available. The hard parts inside is where all the money is.

If I had time, and you were closer, we could do it in a day.

I have rebuilt several of mine, this is not a complex job.

Brian

So, last summer I picked up a little Campbell 20' Whaler V-drive. The seller was a friend of a friend of a friend and the word was the boat was mechanically sound, but needed some love cosmetically. As it turns out the boat did need some love cosmetically, mechanically, spiritually, and most certainly financially. While the boat did run fine for the few seconds we ran it on the trailer, I soon found out that those few seconds were the limit of the machine's abilities.
(Before every professional boat buyer on the internet shows up in here with advice on not buying without a sea trial blah, blah, blah, let me just say... save it, we've all heard it.)

Anyway, the fuel system was screwed, the water pumped was cracked, the rudder stuffing box leaked like the Deep Water Horizon, and if it wasn't for Dave at Connelly Marine I would have just lit it on fire in RD's side yard and gone on with my life. Connelly fixed all the known issues in short time and for a very reasonable price. I would recommend them to anyone.

So, now that the boat was running tip top all we should be good to go right? Sadly, no. Upon the maiden voyage of my new found money suck I discovered that while the boat ran and idled great and actually floated, it also sounded like there was rock quarry the bottom of the bilge. Well, the racket was tracked down to the transmission. Some theories were passed around and it was thought that perhaps the flex plate was loose, so some inspection was in order. Today I took a closer look and found the flex plate to be properly intact, but also found an inspection port had be cut into the bell housing (poorly I might add). Here are a couple videos of the noise. In the first video the trans is in neutral and you can hear what sounds like a spun bearing. The next video shows what this anchor sounds like when you shift it into gear...
Aside from the obvious you will also notice ATF leaking out of the top of the JB welded access hole LOL. Anyway, the trans is junk. Does anyone have a line on an inexpensive Turbo 400? There isn't much power behind it so I don't need anything special. Just something to get this boat on the water.

What say ye?

 

[wsuwrhr]

id just have that one rebuilt. sounds like its got some wasted bushings inside.

The plan was to rebuild this one but whoever cut that access hole on the bell housing got a little over zealous and cut into the case the tried to fix it with JB weld. You can see it leaking in the second video.

I second what JP said....

A case core is the cheapest part PT, don't lose hope or faith.

 

[hallett21]

Let's see the boat!

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Have a trans shop go though the trans, cheap fix. T400s aren't exactly a rare trans, if you need a new case, they are readily available. The hard parts inside is where all the money is.

If I had time, and you were closer, we could do it in a day.

I have rebuilt several of mine, this is not a complex job.

Brian

I thought about showing this video to a trans shop here but figured it was a lost cause with the hole in the case.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I thought about showing this video to a trans shop here but figured it was a lost cause with the hole in the case.

Trans shop isn't going to care about a video.

Regardless of the hole. The case is either good or it isn't. DOES NOT MEAN the whole trans is no good sir.

Keep moving forward, getting another trans may not be moving forward.

The front pump housing needs to be taken out and looked at to see if the hole cut through the transfer port or oring area to see if the case is good.

 

[mjc]

Sorry, yeah 4L60E.

It is out of a 2001 camaro has been sitting for years, got it with my ls1.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

It is out of a 2001 camaro has been sitting for years, got it with my ls1.

Ahh. Damn. I need one for my Silverado. I believe the Camaro's had pretty different gearing.

 

[oldschool]

I'm assuming those videos where taken on the trailer? Do you know what type of adapter is used to connect the trans? Some times the spacer, if there is one, can "walk" on the spline and make a lot of noise. Not saying this is your issue, but could be some of it. Take that trans to someone reputable that can go through it. One of the painful lessons I've learned over the years is "Don't use used parts". Let's see pics of the boats, sounds cool.

 

[4Waters]

So, last summer I picked up a little Campbell 20' Whaler V-drive. The seller was a friend of a friend of a friend and the word was the boat was mechanically sound, but needed some love cosmetically. As it turns out the boat did need some love cosmetically, mechanically, spiritually, and most certainly financially. While the boat did run fine for the few seconds we ran it on the trailer, I soon found out that those few seconds were the limit of the machine's abilities.
(Before every professional boat buyer on the internet shows up in here with advice on not buying without a sea trial blah, blah, blah, let me just say... save it, we've all heard it.)

Anyway, the fuel system was screwed, the water pumped was cracked, the rudder stuffing box leaked like the Deep Water Horizon, and if it wasn't for Dave at Connelly Marine I would have just lit it on fire in RD's side yard and gone on with my life. Connelly fixed all the known issues in short time and for a very reasonable price. I would recommend them to anyone.

So, now that the boat was running tip top all we should be good to go right? Sadly, no. Upon the maiden voyage of my new found money suck I discovered that while the boat ran and idled great and actually floated, it also sounded like there was rock quarry the bottom of the bilge. Well, the racket was tracked down to the transmission. Some theories were passed around and it was thought that perhaps the flex plate was loose, so some inspection was in order. Today I took a closer look and found the flex plate to be properly intact, but also found an inspection port had be cut into the bell housing (poorly I might add). Here are a couple videos of the noise. In the first video the trans is in neutral and you can hear what sounds like a spun bearing. The next video shows what this anchor sounds like when you shift it into gear...

[video=youtube_https;jS_4fOLf9WM]https://youtu.be/jS_4fOLf9WM[/video]


[video=youtube_https;d-VMEiicp1A]https://youtu.be/d-VMEiicp1A[/video]

Aside from the obvious you will also notice ATF leaking out of the top of the JB welded access hole LOL. Anyway, the trans is junk. Does anyone have a line on an inexpensive Turbo 400? There isn't much power behind it so I don't need anything special. Just something to get this boat on the water.

What say ye?

Good God, that sounds like Quinn's boat in Jaws.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

I'm assuming those videos where taken on the trailer? Do you know what type of adapter is used to connect the trans? Some times the spacer, if there is one, can "walk" on the spline and make a lot of noise. Not saying this is your issue, but could be some of it. Take that trans to someone reputable that can go through it. One of the painful lessons I've learned over the years is "Don't use used parts". Let's see pics of the boats, sounds cool.

Gonna pull it and have it checked out. Unfortunately none of the boat guys in Havasu seem to have much input on the trans.

Here's a couple pics of the boat I have on my phone.

 

[HST4ME]

Needs a minnkota bow mount and a pedestal seat.:thumbup:

 

[oldschool]

Gonna pull it and have it checked out. Unfortunately none of the boat guys in Havasu seem to have much input on the trans.

Here's a couple pics of the boat I have on my phone.

View attachment 551308

View attachment 551309

View attachment 551310

View attachment 551311

That's way cool. I like whalers, especially v drives. I'd talk to Barry, obnoxious 001, and get a referral from him.

 

[Don Johnson]

When you remove the tranny make sure there is a spline drive plate installed. It looks a lot like the spring loaded backing plate of a clutch. This addresses the harmonics and jolting that removing the torque converter creates in a marine application. Without it many auto trannies are real unhappy in a marine application and will cause the tranny to fail. Hopefully there is one in it, if not I know Art Carr used to make one.

Good luck.

 

[oldschool]

When you remove the tranny make sure there is a spline drive plate installed. It looks a lot like the spring loaded backing plate of a clutch. This addresses the harmonics and jolting that removing the torque converter creates in a marine application. Without it many auto trannies are real unhappy in a marine application and will cause the tranny to fail. Hopefully there is one in it, if not I know Art Carr used to make one.

Good luck.

Some guys run a dampening plate and some don't. I used to run one, but have since gone to a solid set up. I've had very good luck with it.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Here's what the flex plate/drive look like.

 

[hallett21]

Gonna pull it and have it checked out. Unfortunately none of the boat guys in Havasu seem to have much input on the trans.

Here's a couple pics of the boat I have on my phone.

View attachment 551308

View attachment 551309

View attachment 551310

View attachment 551311

Rad boat! Looks like a good shooting platform as well! Is the pink taco no longer?

 

[OLDRAAT]

Nice yacht PT. Hope you get the problems fixed so you can started enjoying it soon.:thumbsup

OR

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Rad boat! Looks like a good shooting platform as well! Is the pink taco no longer?

Nice yacht PT. Hope you get the problems fixed so you can started enjoying it soon.:thumbsup

OR

Thanks guys! It could be a cool old boat if I can afford to get past this issue.
The Taco is still in the fleet, though I've toyed with getting rid of her to try something new.

 

[Rattle Can Lou]

PT...if you need a new flex plate as they talked about..I have one new in box. Rex Marine built them for ski racing. Heavy duty piece. It dampens the shift of the tranny. I know your trying to do it cheap and I don't blame you...but you just can't go buy one. It would be like 350.00 for it. Don't get mad at me...they are spendy.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

PT...if you need a new flex plate as they talked about..I have one new in box. Rex Marine built them for ski racing. Heavy duty piece. It dampens the shift of the tranny. I know your trying to do it cheap and I don't blame you...but you just can't go buy one. It would be like 350.00 for it. Don't get mad at me...they are spendy.

Thanks RCL! I?m waiting on getting the boat to Connelly to pull the trans and either have it rebuilt or replaced, so that would be when I could swap the flex plate. Not surprisingly it?ll be about two weeks

 

[obnoxious001]

Thanks RCL! I?m waiting on getting the boat to Connelly to pull the trans and either have it rebuilt or replaced, so that would be when I could swap the flex plate. Not surprisingly it?ll be about two weeks

Strongly suggest having my guy in Big River look at it,, maybe save you some money and get it done right. I can check and see if he has a case laying around.

 

[waterhorse]

The marine modifications to the T-400 usually include a manual valve body so you can select a gear and only that gear, also reversing the shift pattern so that 3rd is all the way forward on the shift handle for safety. This is in addition to the spline drive and flywheel plate that has been mentioned. Connolly marine should have the source for this stuff.
Cool boat, It will drive like a dream when done.:thumbup:

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Strongly suggest having my guy in Big River look at it,, maybe save you some money and get it done right. I can check and see if he has a case laying around.

Thanks Barry!

 

[mjc]

Stopped by friends shop and he was working on these first a 400 for a bracket car this for a blown BBC 23 t bucket.
He needs to see what you have there are different 400 cases he said.

 

[BDMar]

Chances are high that it has a dampner plate bolted to the flywheel. There are two levels of them. The one probably used in yours has open springs dampening between the mount flange and the spline. When those springs fail it sounds like yours.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Chances are high that it has a dampner plate bolted to the flywheel. There are two levels of them. The one probably used in yours has open springs dampening between the mount flange and the spline. When those springs fail it sounds like yours.

Not sure what I'm looking at but here is the flex plate...

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Stopped by friends shop and he was working on these View attachment 551423 first a 400 for a bracket car View attachment 551424 this for a blown BBC 23 t bucket.
He needs to see what you have there are different 400 cases he said.

Where is this at?

 

[mjc]

Where is this at?

Moreno valley.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Chances are high that it has a dampner plate bolted to the flywheel. There are two levels of them. The one probably used in yours has open springs dampening between the mount flange and the spline. When those springs fail it sounds like yours.

It really looks like a coupler bolted solid to the crank flange with some type of splined shaft maybe.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

It really looks like a coupler bolted solid to the crank flange with some type of splined shaft maybe.

That's what it is I think.

 

[coolchange]

Yes, those were used mostly for short track cars. Without any mass or absorption plate they transfer all the pulse of the engine dire tly to the trans.

 

[BDMar]

Sorry just saw this. As I think was said, you have a solid coupler so the noise can't be what I suspected. I would definitely convert it to a flywheel and damper plate when you get the trans fixed or replaced. The flywheel can easily be match balanced to your flex plate. It will save the transmission in the future. The damper plate will soften the shock to the trans while shifting. The prop does not slip enough to soften the shock as one might think.

I have a trans guy that lives in Baldy Mesa that will do you right if you want to try him. He has done boat trans for us and most of the shops around here for 35 + years.

Not sure what I'm looking at but here is the flex plate...

View attachment 551443

 

[BDMar]

These are the two plates. The open spring one is a std. duty, the other is a heavy duty for high hp applications. The HD one requires a little machining to the flywheel to clear the attaching rivets.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Why couldn't you use a stock Volvo Penta "absorber", "dampener"



https://www.google.com/search?q=volvo+penta+855694&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik_di235LTAhWFg1QKHeAMDxwQsAQIGQ&biw=1219&bih=840&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=fLRkZ9wWa9CuFM:

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

These are the two plates. The open spring one is a std. duty, the other is a heavy duty for high hp applications. The HD one requires a little machining to the flywheel to clear the attaching rivets.

View attachment 551727
View attachment 551728

Thanks Brian!