enfield z drive

[mattbuzz]

hi all. We have a 21' fast fisher with Ford inboard powering an Enfield Z drive, as we have not had the boat in the water yet (we have been doing it up for the past year or so) the Z drive apparently is a swivel type is it supposed to be locked in position or can it be left free to move slightly from side to side.
I would appreciate any advice on this. Thankyou :confused:

[Canuck]

Used to have one of these on my last boat, there should be a spring loaded locking pin on the inside of the transom, make sure this is free of corrosion as you will need to pull the pin to swing the leg up, when you wind the leg down it will spring back into the locked position. Ensure that this pin works as you might have hell of a bang if the leg swings when the gear is engaged. Biggest problem I had was the swivel pin (steering pin) on the leg seizing and if your on a mooring its a lift out to cure as the leg needs to be taken off the back plate. I used to have a manual for the leg but haven't seen it for about 8 years, I'll see if I can find it if your interested.

Rich

[Dave.S]

Hi Matt

You could try this site for info www.boatsthames.com/enfieldpartspage.html

and this page might prove useful as well
www.bluestarsurveys.co.uk/ENFIELD130and130HZDRIVEMANUAL.pdf

Dave
:catch:

[Canuck]

The first site Dave mentions - Chertsey Meads Marine - is where I got my spares from, I also got all the parts to marinise a 2ltr ford pinto engine as well. They were helpful and the prices were not bad as boating prices go. If you have problems with the universal drive joint, I'm pretty sure its a BMC mini constant velocity joint which would be about a third of the price from a motor factors.

Just checked the other site out and that is the workshop manual that I have.

Rich

[BrianR]

If you let me have your Email address, I'll send you a copy of the workshop manual for the Enfield.
[e-mail]

[mattbuzz]

Thanks for your advice, I have located the locking pin, it was siezed so requires gentle tap to lock leg in place and a gentle tap to release. There is no winch element fitted to mine but as mine will only be on and off a trailer we will never need to lift the leg sideways, do you think I still need a winch?

[Canuck]

Its for you to make that decision, purists would say you need one but if you never need to raise the leg then you might get away with it, as I said its your call. Is yours the hydrualic lift version with the hydraulics removed? The lift mechanism is a worm wheel around the shaft housing which is operated by a starting handle put down through the decking into the worm.
If you have a corroded locking pin then be sure to check the steering swivel pin as this can be a right pig to free and get out.

Rich

[mattbuzz]

Rich
thanks for your advice ,i am not a purist by any strech of the imagination and getting very eager to get the boat on the water to do some fishing.The way i see it, correct me if I am wrong, is that as long as it locks and I have a way to undo pin and lift leg if needed then the system should work. PS it is not a hydraulic device. Apart from the steering pin siezing how did you find the system when you had one. I did change the steering mechanism as this had been welded together and looked a bit dodgy. Thanks again.

[BrianR]

I had an Enfield leg on my previous boat, which I used to rotate with the winch when using the trailer.
But when I fitted hydraulic trim tabs I couldn't rotate it, so I just lifted it.

[Canuck]

You've down loaded the manual and as you can see they are pretty straight forward with not a lot to go wrong. the biggest problem is keeping up with the corrosion. These units are pretty old now most dating from the 60's and 70's so its just a case of keeping up with it.

I bought my one as a box of bits and built it up, once everything was going I had little problem until the steering pin seized after about 3 years ( I didn't practice what I'm preaching).

Rich

[mattbuzz]

Thanks again boys