Laid Back Boaters

I have been chasing down an annoying vibration from about 1100rpm to about 1700rpm. I believe I have finaly found it. Today I decided to go ahead and pull the H-Bar and replace the joints. So after I remove the joint that attaches the "H" to the Pump. The joints were starting to get grooves in the bearing journals. That would explain why it felt a little loose. So I take a good look at the slip joint. and its Friken Bent. I thought NO WAY! Its like 1/4" forged part. I slipped it onto another Panther drive I happen to have here at the house. Sure enough, one ear of it, is bent outwards about an 1/8". From what I have been reading on other sites also, is that, It seems i have to buy a whole new H-Bar setup. All I really need is the slip yoke and 2 new U-Joints. A pretty good description can be found here http://www.jetboatperformance.com/index.php?p=drivelineeducation Or do any of you fine folks know where I can purchase just the yoke used perhaps. Any and all input is welcome. Thanks Steve Mac

Im not sure if this should be in the boat parts area. If thats a better place please feel free to move it thanks SMac

Steve,
There's a real good chance that Jet Boat Performance has a used one but if not, here's a little list of other places to check-
Performance Jet

Hi-Tech Performance

Marine Performance Design - MPD

ARS Marine

Skagen Marine

ePerformance Marine


and Panther

Panther Jets

You should also be able to take it to a drive line shop to have them match it up. I'll also check with a few of my old sources to see if I can come up with something.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/jet-boat ... eviewZtrue

I'll sell you one just like the one above for $20 +$10 shipping. I'm going on vacation for a few days so I probably won't be able to get back to you until the 18th. Let me know, Rod.

thanks Cas. and you too Rod. Im still trying to find one used local if I can. If not Rod You'll be hearing from me. and of course my boats in my driveway engine hoist holding the motor up LOL!!

Check here they sometimes wreck out a few jet boats and may have one off
Rancho Marine
3761 Unit C Recycle Rd.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Phone: (916) 638-8908
Fax: (916) 638-8099
Toll Free Order Line:
888-878-7100

Steve,
I think I have a line on another one up in WA state. The person will be looking to see if he still has it today. Also, ADM Boat works in SoCal has been doing Panther stuff for years and from what I remember, he stocks a lot of the Panther parts. Here's the info-
ADM Boat Works
6356 Industry Way, Westminster, CA.
Tel: 714-898-8447

Great thanks guys. Im on my way to rancho marine recycling now to hunt. Shipwreck marine did not have one. I have a call into ADM Boat Works. The slip yoke mine uses does NOT use U-Bolts! It is longer than that. The u joints press in.(inside snap ring) I wonder if drivline specialties in West Sac. would have it? OK, time to go to rancho. Thanks for all your help so far. I emailed Jim at Performance Jet (also called, still busy) I sent an email to panther also, they also prefer to do business via email. I'll let ya know if I find one. I tried to upload a pic of it earlier. I got it, let me try linking to a pic of the part.




lets see if that worked. SMac

OK, Just got back from driveline services. The Gentlemen their agreed with me that it looked bent. He finaly chucked it up in the lathe to prove to himself that it was "ACTUALLY FINE" He even installed a new joint so he could see if would bind. It did not. So thank you all for trying to help me find what I thought I needed. Lesson Learned: If it all possible seek the advice of your nearest specialist! On a second note he said the harmonic "vibration" I am getting (since it is only at a certain RPM) is caused by a slight misalignment of the pump and motor. He said that one plane of the shafts has to be the same. Thanks again to everyone for their advice and possible contacts. Steve Mac

Steve, Sorry for the busy phone today, things got crazy around here. Your pump shaft center line should be parallel with the crank center line to with in 1 to 5 degrees. I usually set them up at around 2 degrees. Also , facing the motor from the transome you need to be centerd with in 1/16 of an inch left or right. Do you have solid mounts or rubber mounts? If you have rubber mounts check and make sure they are in good shape. Good luck. Jim

Do Panther jet drives have a different spline pattern for the driveline than a Berkeley?

yes they do, the shaft in the Panther is smaller than the others. Here's a picture of a Panther shaft-


I had a picture of the Panther shaft next to the Berk but I can't find it

Thats ok Jim, Im sure we will be chatting soon enough as there is always something to learn about boats. I figure after a couple more years of ownership of my boat (now at almost 18 years) I should know every facet of it. I have either, reglassed, rebuilt, repainted, or replaced about 60 percent of it. Yet it always holds new suprises for me. LOL!! Thats good info about the engine alignment. Im sure thats where I was a little out of spec. My setup is the 3 point type, and I believe I had the nose of the engine just a little to far towards the port side. But my timing on the u joint replacement could not have been better, as they were just starting to groove. I also have the nice Nicson Polished aluminum timing cover with the feet, so once I make sure after a quick ride that I have eliminated the vibration I will mount the motor to the stringers with those as well. Nice and firm is what I like. I am also using that new Green Grease! in the joints. Heres what is being said about it. http://greengrease.net/ Looks like its the shiznit! SMac