Borg Warner Velvet Drive

[Phishin]

I'll be changing out the fluid on a pair of vintage 1986 Borg Warner Velvet Drive units, which are driven by 454 Crusaders....all of which is found in a 36' Tiara with about 1100 hours on each side.

From what I've read online, these Velvet Drives will run on just about anything. They were spec'ed to run Dex II back in the day. I was thinking of running Maxlife ATF in them.

Does anyone have any personal experience with these units and can recommend a fluid for these?

 

[Doog]

I have owned 2 sets of them. Use Mobil 1 ATF. You can run it 50 hours. There should be a drain plug on the bottom of some but if it is stuck don't force it or you might crack the case. There is no serviceable filter just a rock catcher screen. If you use a fluid extractor be sure to shift the trans in neutral or you might catch the tube on one of the gears. The oil should be checked HOT within 3 minutes of engine shutdown to get the correct level.

So you should measure how much you remove and replace with the same. Once you get a good HOT measurement by checking the level at the dock after a 30 minute cruise,allow the trans to get completely cold and then mark the dipstick where the proper cold level is. I used a hacksaw blade to scratch it on mine. Then you can do all of your measurements cold.

BTW, Borg Warner sold the division to Regal Beloit who now makes garbage gears. So be real careful with any spare parts. But the set you have are the real deals.

http://www.velvetdrive.com/