Volvo Penta gearbox direction

[robmcg]

I am trying to get my head around the foibles of my MS2B-L gearbox. It is mated to a Volvo Penta MD22A engine. The confusing thing is the prop rotation. I have now managed to 'audit' some other users of the same setup and here's the thing - three run a left handed prop and two run a right handed prop. The gearbox is a single ratio is same in forward as reverse. Online, it seems to be a general consensus that this gearbox can be run in either direction. Is this true? Is there a preferred rotation or does it not really matter? If you wanted to change the direction of prop rotation, would it just be a matter of swapping the cables around at the Morse controller?

 

[Beneteau381]

My 1999 Beneteau is fitted with an MD22, I will check the model shortly, it has a left hand 16X16 prop fitted

 

[Stemar]

When I fitted a VP2003 engine and gearbox, it turned the opposite way to my old engine. We reversed the gear cable and it ran perfectly happily until we sold the boat 17 years later

 

[scottie]

Yes

 

[robmcg]

Yes

Is that yes to everything? IE, gearbox will run happily with left or right prop assuming the Morse connection is correct??

 

[scottie]

Is that yes to everything? IE, gearbox will run happily with left or right prop assuming the Morse connection is correct??

Yes

 

[robmcg]

Resurrecting this thread as after some further discussions I am still somewhat confused as to whether there is an 'optimal' rotation direction for this gearbox? The gearbox is definitely a single ratio, 2.3:1 in forward or reverse. We used to sail a boat with the same MS2B gearbox, albeit a down angle version and that prop was a left handed one. Anyone have anything further to add that may help clear up the issue (not that I don't believe those who have already responded)?

 

[scottie]

Which part of yes is puzzling
It will run happily either way or even both ways but not at same time

 

[robmcg]

Which part of yes is puzzling
It will run happily either way or even both ways but not at same time

I know I am being a bit paranoid but it's just the cautious side of me.......at least that's what I'm telling myself ?

 

[VicS]

I know I am being a bit paranoid but it's just the cautious side of me.......at least that's what I'm telling myself ?

What concerns me is whether the spirally cut bevel gears that form the output pinion and crown wheel can be run without issue in the reverse direction.

Stemar's experience suggests no problems but he does not say how many hours the engine ran in 17 years

 

[westernman]

The Kanzaki gearbox which comes with Yanmar 4JH2 specifically says in the manual it can be run in either direction. There is no preferred direction.
I don't have clue about yours though.

 

[scottie]

As I understand the box is the same as outdrive top ends so designed to operate in either direction