1971 F-26 Repower Diesel or Gas?

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:39 am

You're correct, my Paragon transmission is a 1.5:1 ratio. The original transmission was a PV31R with a 1:1 ratio, but a previous owner changed the transmissions. I'm not sure what the propeller diameter and pitch are. I doubt they are the original 15 inch diameter and 11 inch pitch. I'll see if I can get the numbers off the prop the next time I am down at the boat.

wolfnnj · Post by **wolfnnj** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:17 am

I have the PV32R as well the trans blew and was replaced with this one a few years back. I was just wondering what to expect with a 360 instead of a 318.

Now these are all reverse rotation engines right?

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:44 am

Engines with Paragon V drives use reverse rotation (RH) engines. The V drive changes the direction of the rotation, but since the engine is facing toward the rear this change results in a RH rotation of the propeller.

Note: Post was changed to correct a significant error.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:21 pm

Stress it too much? These are machines not people, age does not affect cast iron. If the ingine is old and worn and near its life end it will go when it goes, but machines do not feel stress matter of fact they have not feelings at all, just do what is commanded of them. My engines should perform what is expected of them, anytime or anywhere.

wolfnnj · Post by **wolfnnj** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:26 pm

I have a V Drive and a Reverse rotation engine RH ????

My engine is a Chrysler 318 RH coupled with a paragon V

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:29 pm

wolfnnj wrote:I have a V Drive and a Reverse rotation engine RH ????

My engine is a Chrysler 318 RH coupled with a paragon V

You are correct. My previous post was wrong. The Paragon V drives use reverse rotation (RH) engines. Sorry for the incorrect information.

wolfnnj · Post by **wolfnnj** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:08 pm

@ Doghouse
I really like what you did to your dashboard I have been dreading taking mine apart (Wires Everywhere) I redid all of the fuses last spring I took out those round buss fuses and replaced them all with mini blade fuses on three panels I bought from West Marine. It took me a few weeks of spare time to get it all done but I was happy with the results. What material did you use? it kind of looks like the stuff they use for wall panels in walk in freezers.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:38 am

wolfnnj wrote:@ Doghouse
I really like what you did to your dashboard. What material did you use? it kind of looks like the stuff they use for wall panels in walk in freezers.

Thanks for the compliment. The owner before me made the dashboard out of fiberglass wall board. You can get the material he used at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZb ... ogId=10053

I've been thinking lately how bringing these old boats back to life is really a team effort. The owner before me redid the dashboard, redid the cabin cushions, put new exhaust manifolds on, and repacked the stuffing box just to get her running. I'm sure he did other things as well that I don't know about. He then passed her on to me. I redid the wiring, installed new gauges, and sealed the front window so far. I have another several years of projects to get her where I want her to be, but she's mechanically sound and usable now. There is definitely something about these boats that makes people want to keep them alive.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:00 pm

vabeach1234 wrote:Dog House, I wish mine could do those kind of numbers. I see your paragon isn't a 1:1 being labeled as a 32, maybe that makes a difference. Do you know what diameter and pitch prop you're running?

I had a chance to go down to the boat today and check out what prop is on it. The Dog House has a 3 blade prop, 15 inch diameter with 11 inch pitch and no cupping. My manual says the OEM prop was 15 x 11, so this may be the original prop. The transmission is not original, and is 1.5:1. Maybe the 1.5:1 ratio with the bigger prop is more efficient somehow.

Have you tried a 15 x 11 prop? This was the original prop dimensions so I would think the boat could handle it. Typically there is a reduction of ~200 rpm for each 1 inch increase in pitch. If your WOT is ~4200 rpm with the 14 x 10 prop, you could probably handle a 15 x 11. Cupping also makes a difference. The 15 x 11 is not cupped. Is your 14 x 10 cupped? Four blade props also tend to be slower. Is your 14 x 10 a four blade prop or a three blade prop? Good luck with your prop selection.

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:32 am

The Dog House wrote:
Have you tried a 15 x 11 prop? This was the original prop dimensions so I would think the boat could handle it. Typically there is a reduction of ~200 rpm for each 1 inch increase in pitch. If your WOT is ~4200 rpm with the 14 x 10 prop, you could probably handle a 15 x 11. Cupping also makes a difference. The 15 x 11 is not cupped. Is your 14 x 10 cupped? Four blade props also tend to be slower. Is your 14 x 10 a four blade prop or a three blade prop? Good luck with your prop selection.

Sorry for the hijack.

That's interesting, thanks for looking. My boat came with a 15x11 from the previous owner but it seemed to be over propped, could have been the original tired motor. I don't think it was the original prop. I took it to the prop shop and they said it at the end of it's life so I picked up a another prop that was 14x10 (second hand) based on what I saw on this site. Maybe I should throw the old 15x11 back on and see what she'll do. I replaced the motor and the prop at the same time so I don't know what she'll do with the 15x11 prop with the new motor (motor is 7 years old now, yikes time flies). Visually there doesn't look like theres anything wrong with the prop, maybe the prop shop was trying to get me to buy a prop from them.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:08 am

I would give the 15 x 11 prop a try. I'm not sure why the prop shop would say it's at the end of its life if there are no visible bends, cracks, or chips. Undamaged bronze should last a long time. The only thing I could imagine is if the blades were bent it might not be immediately noticeable that the prop is no longer any good. Other than that, I can't see how the prop would look good but be at "the end of its life". Good luck!

wolfnnj · Post by **wolfnnj** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:39 pm

Well I finally have it figured out

I am putting in a 350 Vortech LH engine in the f-26 Thanks to Trojan Bob and a few of his friends I will have all of the parts I need for my re-power.

THANKS BOB! U R THE BEST.

Now what do I do with my old 318 RH ???

it has New heads new Malory electronic ignition brand new carter carb etc. It would be a shame to part her out but eBay here i come.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:23 pm

Congrats on finalizing what to do. Are you also putting in a LH transmission? What will the final drivetrain be?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:26 pm

All he will have to do is rotate the pump and change the prop

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 9:04 pm

Those vortechs are a lot taller than the 318 that was in the boat. Have you accounted for this? I know my 318 is really close to the hatch. Please keep us updated on the install. I'd love to put a modern day vortech in my boat one day.