83 330 Mariner - port tranny issues

Do you know what gear you have or possibly post a picture?

Hi,

You could do a bit of research yourself: Velvet Drive - Marine | Products | 71/72 Series

About The only place a Velvet drive can lose that much fluid is on the right hand side at the bottom where the fluid returns from the cooler. There's usually a 90 degree fitting that comes out of the gear that may not have gotten tightened or the fitting is cracked.

You're going to have to wipe it clean and feel around under the bell housing and gear. The last poster is probably correct if the lines are dry. I've never seen a front seal leak that much but there's only 2 places that the fluid can come from in that amount and area that you're describing. I have seen guys crack that fitting on the bottom from tightening the line without holding a back up on the fitting. They used to use an inverted flare fitting that was fairly easy to break or cross thread. There's not much room to work that deep in the bilge and with the motor mounts in the way.

Get 4 7/16" x 4 coarse thread bolts. Use 2 of them - one in each of the motor mount holes in the gear to make handles to pull the gear out and to help put it in. Cut the heads off two of them and cut a slot with a hacksaw. Put them in the top bolt holes of the bell housing to slide the gear on. Back them out with a screw driver. I think those gears are over 100 pounds. If your mounts still move you can jack the engine up and put blocks under the bell housing. Unbolt the coupling first. Check the shaft for wear at the seal area. They make stainless sleeves to cover the shaft wear.