Is there such a thing as a low budget gearbox?

M

Marc02

Member
I have a 14 foot aluminum hull 350 DD and looking at installing a gearbox to get the airboat to plane out. Currently just plows through the water like a barge. I see there is a huge price difference between your Oxbox 2:55 or 2:68 and a Precision 2:1 gearbox. I only use the airboat roughly 5 times a year ice fishing. From what I have read on here a 2:1 gearbox is a huge up grade from a DD and the 2:55 or 2:68 is an upgrade to the 2:1 gearbox. Would I be happy with the 2:1 gearbox for the little that i will be using the airboat? Anyone run a Precision gearbox. I heard they are noisy by that don't really bother me so much. Also I am running a 72Inch Whrilwind 2 blade prop at 2800 rpm. The 2:1 gearbox would be 5600 engine rpm's to spin the blades at 2800 rpm's? Is this correct?
 
2:1 on a stockish 350 is about right, 2.37 is max unless it’s heavily modified.

Never heard of precision but if belt drive it turns the same direction as engine. If gear prop turns opposite.
 
You mention budget...
You may want to factor in the cost of a larger diameter propeller, gear box, engine stand and cage changes. The gear box will alter the prop height and the cage may need to be larger to accommodate the new prop. Just a few things to consider.
 
The least expensive is a Precision geardrive. I bought one used was very cheap and loud due to gears and drive plate setup.
It was old when I got it ran it for 2 years without issue. That said the size and rigging mount locations are different that all other gearboxes.

You will typically (as GC mentioned above) need to rebuild the rear of your rigging, radiator hoses and maybe make cage modifications depending on the prop size.

Airboats are a rabbit hole lol.
Good Luck
 
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In the mean time, you may want to take a little pitch out and get it turning to 3000rpm and see how it does.
 
One Eyed Gator said:
The least expensive is a Precision geardrive. I bought one used was very cheap and loud due to gears and drive plate setup.
It was old when I got it ran it for 2 years without issue. That said the size and rigging mount locations are different that all other gearboxes.

You will typically (as GC mentioned above) need to rebuild the rear of your rigging, radiator hoses and maybe make cage modifications depending on the prop size.

Airboats are a rabbit hole lol.
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Mike that old Precision drive you ran was something to hear…lol
 
SH45
Should have heard it with the 80" 2 blade stump puller
Sounded like dump truck going down a bumpy road with 2 boulders in the bed lol

But need let me down took it to Vaughn before I sold it he checked it out said everything looked great.
While I was there I bought Vaughn's oil it wasn't quit as loud.

It came from Chuck at airboat pro's (miss ole chuck) went through 3 friends then to me and I sold it. No telling how many hours that thing had on it
 
Can’t beat the price if someone was gonna do a build and 2:1 was their spec.

Web page says $2295

If you could find a junk yard 400 sbc and marry them it would be budget power.
 
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