SUREDRIVE™
Many marine transmissions rely on a floating spline coupling arrangement to transfer power from the engine flywheel to the transmission.
The relatively short spline on the transmission input shaft, coupled with the spline in the drive plate, is the weakest link in your boat’s drive system. This spline arrangement is highly intolerant to poor alignment and is very susceptible to wear from constant changes in engine output (e.g. commercial fishboats operating at low RPM), vibration and inconsistent off-on loading conditions.
The Suredrive™ is designed to eliminate this weak link by locking a female center spline hub onto your existing transmission input shaft.
It is not necessary to replace your input shaft even if the spline is worn. The Suredrive™ centre spline hub will lock onto even the most worn spline surfaces.
"Do not let a salesperson sell you an input shaft if yours is worn, you only need 20% remaining on your spline for a Suredrive™ to engage and lock 100%."
Don't let the noise of damper plate failure scare your fish away. Durable elastomers (rubber inserts) are installed at the perimeter of the inner spider drive to aid in dampening engine vibration and torsional forces, thereby providing a much quieter drive system.
Finally, the outer spider drive is bolted onto the engine flywheel. The centre sockets of the outer spider engage the inner spider drive with the rubber inserts effectively cushioning the mating surfaces.
MOD04
The MOD04 is especially designed for Volvo 2000-2003/MS2B sailboat application including the sail drive. In spite of the age of the Volvo 2000 engine/transmission unit there is still a large number of these units still in service. However, with the inherent design problem with the coupling device between the engine and the transmission, the result of the poor designed connection creates destruction of the MS2B Transmission input shaft. This Suredrive‘s unique features of a splined hub will lock onto the worn out transmission input spline without an invasive repair to the input shaft.
MOD04-2
The MOD04-2 is designed for the Volvo 30 engine. It is not necessarily applicable to one type of engine. The Volvo 30 is a small displacement low HP engine suitable for sailboat and other small vessels. Similar engine also can be fitted with this model of Suredrive if the flywheel arrangement is different from the Volvo 30. The torque is transmitted by urethane elastomers to the transmission. The Suredrive is a failsafe coupling device which under no circumstances you will have a loss of drive. Refer to the pictures. Contact Manufacture.
MODO4B-TD
This MOD04 is for a Beta 13 HP (2 cyl) and a Twin Disc/TMC transmission. The robust construction of the Suredrive will deliver a failsafe operation under extreme operating conditions with forward and reverse shiftings. NB. This model can be reconfigured to fit other engine & applications ie hydraulic pump, other small transmissions with 10-spline input shafts.
MOD08X
The MODO8X is a purpose- designed predominately for DD53 engines with flywheel pilot 7.980” There are some known engines with this flywheel arrangement ie 8.2 liter GM and some Perkins.
MOD08
MOD08 is a highly versatile marine drive coupling. The module is the core unit of the drive with all components arranged into one unit. With the adapter flanges there are SAE flywheel dimensions. Others with multi bolt holes to adapt to different flywheel which are not standard are available. All flanges have identical pilot bores and bolt circles to match the pilot on the module.
MOD12
The MOD12 has a basic difference than the MOD08 in that it has 12 driving members to suit the higher HP. The adapter flanges are interchangeable between MOD12 and MOD08. This arrangement makes drive selection simple.
MOD16
The MOD16 is a rugged steel constructed drive which comes with SAE 11.5 and SAE 10. The center splined locking hub will determine the brand of the marine transmission used. There are several makes of transmissions in the category that MOD16 will cover plus numerous input shaft splines. (for these contact manufacture).
MOD18
The MOD18 comes only as SAE 11.5 dimension. This model is a replacement for Vulkan couplings that have a center bore to fit on to a hub attached onto the transmission input shaft. These couplings are also installed into industrial applications driving large hydraulic pumps. Call manufacture.
MOD24
The MOD24 fits an SAE 14 flywheel. The coupling is especially designed for a 1200 HP diesel engine with over 3000 ft/lbs of torque. For other applications please contact manufacture.
Installation VIDEO
Installation video for the MOD04 and MOD04-V
Benefits
ECONOMY - Eliminates high cost, high wear components and downtime related to your drive system.
SAFETY - Infinitely stronger than traditional drive plates, the Suredrive™ gets you home every time.
QUIET OPERATION - The Suredrive™ dampens noise and vibration that is transmitted along the prop shaft and into the water, particularly in the low R.P.M. range.
INSTALLATION - It's simple & it's easy! If you can operate a torque wrench you can install your own Suredrive™. See installation instructions here.
Compatibility Table
FAQ
1. Does the Suredrive™ fit my transmission? What is your transmission?
Refer to Specs. or our Compatability chart.
2. Do the rubber blocks wear out very fast? How long do they last?
It really depends on the application, variables such as extreme misalignment, continuous low rpm operations and/or improper installation. i.e. if rubbers not completely positioned into outer drive receiving pockets can all contribute to premature wear. We recommend that all rubber blocks be changed at your regular transmission service. We have one customer that has 4 Suredrive™ in 2 fishing boats (twin) and has over 28,000 hours on the original set of rubbers and he hasn't had to change them.
3. What is the minimum amount of splines need to mount the Suredrive™ to the input shaft?
The Suredrive™ can be mounted with as little as 20% of the splines left.
4. What is the Suredrive™ made of?
The inner and outer drives are cast from high quality ductile iron or quality steel. The center spline hub is machined from 4140 high nickel steel so it retains it's shape upon removal from the inner spider drive assembly (ductile iron is too soft). Therefore the hub would be very difficult to remove from the input shaft as well as lose it's circumference reducing capabilities upon reinstallation.
5. The Suredrive™ seems to be heavier than the traditional drive plate that I have been using, is that O.K.?
The design of the Suredrive™ makes it heavier than traditional drive plates. The added weight helps to increase the flywheel mass which helps reduce torsional vibration and permits a much smoother operation at a lower idling rpm.
6. Why would I spend more money on a Suredrive™ when I can buy a traditional drive plate for 1/2 the price?
If you look at the cost of replacing a drive plate 1-2 times a year and eventually changing the transmission input shaft, (total cost can be up to $2300) gasket kit, labor for installation, safety factor, (The Suredrive™ always remains engaged) as well as the cost of down time of your vessel and compare it to the cost of a Suredrive™, I think the decision becomes clear.
7. The Vulcan drive coupling has a better torsional vibration dampening system than the Suredrive™ why should I buy a Suredrive™?
Yes, the Vulcan drive coupling has a greater torsional absorption than the Suredrive™, but it still has the problem of premature spline wear. The only product that you will find that will correct the problem is the Suredrive™.