V Drive Shaft seal access

[Ford Reese]

I have a 96 28 Albin TE with a ZF-V drive transmission. How do you access the shaft seal, which is under the engine and transmission? I think the glan nut might need to be tighten, since I have recently begun to find a small amount of salt water in the bilge and it appeares to be coming from under the engine.

[jcollins]

You have to be a contortionist. <sp?>

Open the port fishbox, remove the access panel. Lay on your back, feet towards the bow. Squeeze your shoulders through the access panel working your arms underneath.
I watched my mechanic.

[Denis]

John's got it right, my mechanic did the same thing. Once I saw him do it I was able to get in there and it seems pretty accessible. Use a long screwdriver that has a small bend in it, that you can get at Sears, to make the adjustment. Make sure that you put the rubber hose back over the seal so that sea water does not spray around and get on the engine. D.

[Ford Reese]

Thank you John and Denis for your replys. Since it has only become a very minor leak recently (about a cup of water after several hours of running the boat), I have printed out your replys so I can relay the information to the boatyard when I have boat hauled this winter for its annual maintance work. The yard I use has servcied other Albins for the old local dealer, so I hope they shouldn't have a problem with fixing this.

Ford - 1995 28 TE Chambornay