Disconnect MS2B from Volvo Penta 2001

[Kasper]

Hi!

I have unscrewed all outside screws attaching the MS2B gearbox to my VP 2001. The gearbox is loose and rotates easily around the shaft, but I can’t pull it off the engine? Is there something I’m missing or should I just use more force/pry it off?

Thanks!

[DougR]

The six bolts holding the gearbox to the flywheel cover are all there are, so that probably means the gearbox input shaft splines are corroded/rusted to the damper hub or the splined hub which is bolted to the flywheel.
You could block up the engine and remove the bolts which hold the flywheel cover to the flywheel housing, but I don’t think that will give more access than you already have. It may, however, give you room to spray some lubricant onto the shaft spline. Keep working at it.

[Emmalina]

Rusted splines is a big problem with those things there was a guy in the UK who did a mod with a new plate adapter and machining the shaft. Needs more force .

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Emmalina

Rusted splines is a big problem with those things there was a guy in the UK who did a mod with a new plate adapter and machining the shaft. Needs more force .

Yes my box has the hex mod a decade ago. DB Marine in the UK did the machining work to the splines and supplied a new carrier.

First step is to remove the two cooling pipes from the gearbox as they are getting old and fragile so you don't want 17kgs of gearbox falling on them. Replace the little VP seals they have on the inside before refitting.

Now since the gearbox will rotate, is it possible to rotate it enough to put two bolts back in with thread showing through the holes and then put a nut on them from the wrong side? 10mm from memory. Then turn the nuts whilst holding the bolt head so that the bolt touches the bell housing and slowly backs off the gearbox by pulling the input shaft (splines) out of the carrier. The carrier has cap head screws which go into the flywheel and pass through the carrier supported by bushes which are a push fit.

This is a hex mod carrier, the original VP spline one is similar but with with splines in the centre rather than a hex.

Pete

[Pete7]

This is is the view into the bell housing looking at the cap screws with the carrier removed.

Note there may be two shims on the input splined shaft when the gearbox is removed. Don't loose them. I say may be because my gearbox has been modified. I only saw them when they fell off the shaft after I picked it up.

Pete

[deblen]

Originally Posted by Pete7

This is is the view into the bell housing looking at the cap screws with the carrier removed.

Note there may be two shims on the input splined shaft when the gearbox is removed. Don't loose them. I say may be because my gearbox has been modified. I only saw them when they fell off the shaft after I picked it up.

Pete

Here is a crude mod I found on a post recently.

[Pete7]

Caused by a design error which took some years to manifest itself. No lubrication for the splines so they wear and eventually fail. Not helped by having a 1 or 2 or 3 cylinder engine so more chatter. Ours did show signs of wear so took the decision to go ahead with the modification early because if they fail its very sudden and leaves you without any drive.

Volvo did come up with an alternative solution eventually, but most owners in the UK seem to have gone down the DB Marine solution. Think there was another variation produced in Canada.

Pete

[skipperpete]

Here’s an elegant but expensive fix if you really love your Volvo[ATTACH]267900

[Kasper]

Thanks everybody. I have sprayed som penetrant where I could, hoping it will creep to reach the spline. Hopefully It’ll come loose. Plan B will be removing the engine I suppose.

I am very thankful for all help, this is a fantastic community!