Clutch for Blackjack 55  
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Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/1/2008 3:43:18 AM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		Inside every Proboat is a grenade. The pin just got pulled on mine!

Need a new clutch. After taking a close look at my unit I realize that the design of the OEM unit is not good.

This is not the only problem I've been having either. The boat takes on a boat load of water during a run. I think it's caused by leaks at the exhaust. The pipe has ridges in it running the length of the pipe which to me can't ever seal properly with the O'rings.

After four tanks from new it's blown out the exhaust gasket at the pipe manifold joint. this explains the oil build up on the engine that I noticed from day one.

I also noticed that the plate which the cooling runs through, engine to exhaust pipe joint, had only one gasket on the exhaust side none on the engine side. Is this correct?

Any recommendations on a new replacement clutch?
       Post #: 1

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/1/2008 4:48:05 AM   
dicko



Posts: 2573
Joined: 2/4/2004
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		The bonzi clutch works well, It's heavy though.

_____________________________

The answer is always more power.

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 2

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/1/2008 2:03:42 PM   
arrowshark


 

Posts: 26
Joined: 11/25/2007
From: port richey, FL, USA
Status: offline 		i agree i used the bonzai clutch on mine with no problems i also used there exhaust manifold with high temp gaskets and never looked back good luck!

(in reply to dicko)
       Post #: 3

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/1/2008 7:10:15 PM   
black talon


 

Posts: 90
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: longwood, FL, USA
Status: offline 		aeromarine has a bolt on collet for $16.00. if you decide to go clutchless. and from what i've read you don't have to change your flex cable.

(in reply to arrowshark)
       Post #: 4

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/3/2008 3:39:40 AM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		We'll if you're going to **** you should also be willing to give credit. Called ProBoat this morning with my concerns and parts are on their way with no hessitation.

When I make the power upgrades I'll look at either the WHH or Bonzi clutch.

(in reply to black talon)
       Post #: 5

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/28/2008 5:24:04 PM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		So I'm finally back in the water. First parts shippment never happened for some reason. After two weeks of waiting I called back to find out they had no record of my call? Next hurdle was customs at the couriers office. Apparently they'd never heard of NAFTA.

Found that the posts that mount the clutch were not all the same length. The original ones had one which was 1.5 mm two short. I also noted that the screw which holds the clutch shoes on had been rubbing against the hub on the clutch bell.

The new clutch bell came with a bad bearing so I installed a brand name better quality bearing.

Boats back in the water, no more oily mess now due to the proper gaskets at the manifold.

However, still taking on a boat load of water. I suspect it is the faux exhaust ports. Here's why. I raised the prop to have the shaft level with the bottom of the sponsons. I found that I got a much smaller rooster tail out the back and that the boat was slower. However there was minimal water in the bottom of the boat. I then lowered the prop strut by about an eigth of an inch and the result was much larger rooster tail, faster boat and a lot of water in the bottom.

Next time out I'm going to plug them and see what happens.

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 6

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/28/2008 5:36:52 PM   
kwiktsi


 

Posts: 513
Joined: 5/31/2004
From: Milford, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Good move on the upgraded bearing, the clutch isn't so much the problem as it is the cheap bearing they use. When I found mine to be bad, I did the same thing- upgraded to a better bearing than the "general purpose" bearing they use. One thing I noticed though is that the outer race liked to spin in the housing at times, so I just drilled and tapped the housing and used a 4-40 set screw to secure the bearing. Worked like a charm.

As for the water, there are times where mine has a good amount in it as well and others where it is pretty dry. Depends on conditions and how I drive. If I just run in nice big ovals or in smooth water, it is pretty dry. If I run it all over the place screwing around or run it in rough water, there is quite a bit in it. I too think some is coming through the exhaust pipes, but I'd rather have them there to vent the heat from inside the hull and just pull the plugs after a run then plug them IMHO.

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 7

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/29/2008 9:33:05 PM   
black talon


 

Posts: 90
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: longwood, FL, USA
Status: offline 		i too get a lot of water in the hull. but i'm convinced that it's the lousey surface of the header pipe.

(in reply to kwiktsi)
       Post #: 8

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 1:54:09 AM   
kwiktsi


 

Posts: 513
Joined: 5/31/2004
From: Milford, PA, USA
Status: offline 		It's possible. Mine seals just fine though, so I can't advise you there .
Joe

(in reply to black talon)
       Post #: 9

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 1:58:09 AM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		I thought of the surface on the exhaust pipe, asked and received a replacement from Proboat. No better.

Tonight I tried plugging the faux exhaust ports with no luck.

Boat stalled out on me twice and I'm wondering if it's not due to a mouthfull of water. Happened both times coming out of a left turn as I straightened out.

One thing I keep noticing is that the primer bulb is not even half full and often full of bubbles.

Once I had the carb back to factory settings it seemed to run quite well.

However, when I got home I could not get the prop drive cable out of the clutch. I noted it was tough going in but now it will not budge.

I decided to get into the RC hobby because I like to tinker and don't have the time for full size cars but this is more work then the real thing.


(in reply to black talon)
       Post #: 10

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 3:49:47 AM   
Lunatik Engineering


 

Posts: 29
Joined: 12/7/2007
From: fayettevile, NC, USA
Status: offline 		My flex shaft jammed in the clutch as well, I just tapped it with a hammer and punch and it popped out. My bearing went bad too. Horizon sent me an entire clutch assembly at no charge. Mine takes on water quite a bit too. mostly on the exhaust side of the boat. I think its in the cooling system somewhere. Ive broken clutch shoes and seized or flat spotted the clutch bearing twice. I have a Bonzi coming. The stock clutch bell is way out of balance

Has anyone tried the auto bailers that replace the anodized drain plugs?

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 11

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 4:15:04 AM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		Thought about the auto bailers but I think the plug holes in the transom are two low to be drilled out for the 3/8 needed for the auto bailer. The grommets that are in there failed and I've replaced them twice since.

< Message edited by PEERPSI -- 9/30/2008 2:21:11 PM >

(in reply to Lunatik Engineering)
       Post #: 12

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 2:16:00 PM   
illiniboater


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 9/10/2008
From: Decatur, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Not to get off the topic but I'm having problems trying to get my 55 up on plane. When I hit the throttle the engine rev's fine, the prop starts spinning like it should, but the boat just doesn't want to get up and go. It will kind of putt along for 10-15 feet then it jumps out of the water and takes off. I've tried adjusting the strut but it doesn't make a very big differance. Could the clutch be slipping? It kind of seems like the boat may have the wrong prop on it, but it's the factory prop. Any suggestions?

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 13

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 2:19:05 PM   
PEERPSI


 

Posts: 86
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: Midland, ON, CANADA
Status: online 		Carb settings?

(in reply to illiniboater)
       Post #: 14

RE: Clutch for Blackjack 55 - 9/30/2008 2:24:32 PM   
illiniboater


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 9/10/2008
From: Decatur, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I've played with that as well. When I get the time this week I'm going to run it thru a bucket of water and reset the needles. I think I had the carb tuned pretty close last week (engine sounded great and plug looked nice and tan) but I think it's alittle lean on the low needle now since I've been adjusting on everything to try and fix my problem.

(in reply to PEERPSI)
       Post #: 15