Gearbox

[JasB]

I have been offered a good price SAAB engine but it doesn't have a gearbox. Apparently it was from a Halcyon 27 which had a feathering prop (whatever that is), also the prop has been sold elsewhere.
How difficult would it be to fit another gearbox, and would it have to be a SAAB gearbox?

 

[JasB]

All this experience, and no-one wants to share?

 

[davidbains]

Second hand engines are always suspect.
Why was it replaced!!

 

[JasB]

the boat itself was being scrapped, so I am told.

 

[Blueboatman]

OK No one else is answering so...
The sabb is a very simple and robust lump,it is quite tall and heavy too at 200kilos!
They were available with either a conventional gearbox or the more common variable/reverse pitch 2 blade propellor set up(so the 'gearbox' was actually a clutch and pitch changing box). I had one in my first boat and it was old already,vibrated (but the larger 2 cylinder model is smoother),reliable and very inexpensive to service and run.And a real handstart engine..If these features attract you.....
I find it odd that you have not been offered the complete package...The uk spares were based in Suffolk at Levington marina,I have a feeling that they then moved to ?Plymouth? A post on the classic forum may reveal where exactly.
I would think that unless you can reunite the gearbox and prop with the engine it would not be worth messing around with...£500 quid would be a reasonable boatjumble price for one that is all complete,they do come up from time to time...
Hope that helps a bit.

 

[srp]

As Blueboatman says, its a SABB, not a SAAB. Ones for boats, the other ones for cars.......
SABB engines are virtually indestructable, but heavy and slow revving. As well as a conventional gearbox (ie F and R, with a conventional fixed blade prop), I think they were also obtainable with a transmission that rotated the shaft all the time, and the 'gear lever' just changed the prop pitch from 'positive' to 'negative' pitch to give you a forward and reverse. With the lever in the central position, the blades would have no pitch, ie feathered - that might be the sort of prop the Halcyon was fitted with.

 

[bluedragon]

Sorry, didn't see this post earlier. Basically what you've been told is correct. There were two variants. I have the Sabb 8HP in a Halcyon 27 that does not have a gearbox, but designed to mate with the VP prop unit. Without that unit (or a gearbox from a Sabb 8HP that did have one), it's not much use to anyone I'd say. Hope this helps.