Does "PCM Power Plus V Drive Transmission" combine both tranny and v-drive?

[IDBoating]

I haven't yet cracked open the floor on my 24Ve to start winterizing it (still waiting for this incessant rain to stop!) so I can't answer this question myself at the moment.

Normally, the transmission and the v-drive are two separate components of the powertrain. However, PCM's literature and manuals speak of the "PCM Power-Plus V-Drive Transmission" which makes it sound like it's a single unit that combines both. They also claim:

>>All PCM Power-Plus "V" Drive transmissions are designed to be 'Maintenance Free'. Inspect fluid level after the first 25 hours of use and annually thereafter. Fluid should only be changed if evidence of contamination is present.<<

So... are there two separate, traditional components under there (tranny followed by v-drive) or is this new PCM unit a combined device?

Thanks!

[IDBoating]

Update: I pulled up the rear cushion and opened the access hatch to get a look at the "front" end of my engine.

The v-drive assembly is clearly visible, and bears a label indicating it has a 1.48 ratio. The sticker is on the most forward surface of the unit. It also has cooling hoses coming in both sides and I can feel the water drain plug on the bottom forward surface. There is a dipstick toward the engine end.

All of this matches the illustrations in the manual, but I still cannot tell if this whole assembly is a combination transmission/v-drive or if there are two separate assemblies here with their own separate cooling and lubrication systems. Isn't the gearing ratio normally handled by the transmission? If so, that would suggest it's a combined unit because the ratio label is at the extreme front end, where the v-drive has to be.

Nothing on PCM's website clearly defines it, and multiple Google searches haven't revealed anything either.

Hopefully someone here knows for sure. Thanks!

[embo]

Forgive me right off the bat if I get this wrong but I think if you read some of this link:

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5510

You will be able to see the difference. I don't know if there are color changes in your newer model but I suspect it is very similar. In our boat and the ones in the link provided, there is the engine, then moving forward, you have the silver/gray transmission where the linkage is for the shifting (forward/reverse) and then the blue V-Drive. I believe they are separate in fluids based on the link info I provided. Cooling I don't know yet. I was going to ask all and more questions from the shop I am going to get the winterization done at this year.

Hope this helps.

[IDBoating]

Since I posted that link I've dug into things in some detail, removed panels everywhere, etc. and am better informed. Let me share what I've learned.

Despite PCM's name for it, their "Power Plus V-Drive Transmission" is not a transmission at all. It's just another v-drive gearset. You are correct, my drivetrain still has three components: Engine, transmission, and v-drive. All are from PCM and all are painted black, and when you add in the somewhat confusing name it's not clear until you open things up and actually poke around a bit.

The engine is no surprise, nothing new to report there.

The transmission's plate says it is a 1.00 ratio unit. It is cooled via a heat exchanger that is ahead of the impeller pump (in other words, the impeller pump sucks water through the heat exchanger).

The v-drive says it is a 1.48 ratio unit. It is water cooled and is the first active component to receive water in the raw water cooling system.

The water flow is as follows (presuming raw water cooling): Intake on hull, raw water strainer (optional), v-drive, inline transmission cooler, impeller pump, and finally engine/exhaust system.

When winterizing, all but the transmission have water that needs to be drained.

Hope this helps!

[dom w. forte]

It is a combined unit, the gear drive , plantarys and clutch pacts are in the same case with a common fluid, on a regular system the trans, is connected by a coupler to the v box with two seperate crancases normally made by two different companys , such as walters v drive and borgwarner trans.

[IDBoating]

Hmm... if so, then why are the transmission and v-drive cooled separately?

My transmission is cooled by a heat exchanger that cools the tranny fluid. It has a drain plug and a dipstick. Its label says its ratio is 1.00.

The v-drive is cooled by raw water flowing through it. It has a separate lubrication system with its own fluid that is checked, drained, and filled separately from the transmission's. Its label says its ratio is 1.48.

I **thought** they might be a combined unit, but now I'm pretty convinced they are two devices. Both made by PCM, but separate nonetheless.

[dom w. forte]

It would be simular to a front wheel drive transaxle in a car, where you have a diff, and trans, combined but with no coupler ,(driveshaft).

[SPBFAN]

You probably have the same thing I have. I have the PCM 6.0 with a PCM 1:1 transmission and a 1.48 Walter V-Drive.

[IDBoating]

You probably have the same thing I have. I have the PCM 6.0 with a PCM 1:1 transmission and a 1.48 Walter V-Drive.

I have a PCM 1.48 v-drive. Says so right on the metal tag:



It's hard to read it in this photo, but you can see the tag at the very top front of the v-drive. It's black with gold-ish lettering.

[SPBFAN]

I have a PCM 1.48 v-drive. Says so right on the metal tag:



It's hard to read it in this photo, but you can see the tag at the very top front of the v-drive. It's black with gold-ish lettering.

Nope it is definatley not the same as mine. That is for sure a PCM drive not a Walter v-drive. To be honest that is a better set up than what I have. Much smoother operation and more universal for the boat manufacture. this can be used as a direct or V-Drive. In your case it is being used as a V-Drive. so the other output is just caped off as you can see in the picture. You now have an additional output that you could put to use to run a fresh water pump or something if needed. Not that I would but is sure does create some ideas.

[IDBoating]

Sort of like a PTO on a truck or tractor engine, eh? {grin}

[What she said]

This set up is like mine, and i would like to know where the drain and fill's are? Is it two different fuild changes on this set-up? Do i need to drain and refill, or just suck it out and refill?