Argo V-drives

[tunnelrunner]

I seem to remember someone asking these questions on the old site, but here goes again.

Most of us down here in Australia use Argo V-drives in one connotation or another. I have the H/D competition version with a "warm-up clutch" ( In / Out) and some kind of prop release ( I think Argo did their own).

Question are these, are these things a copy of the Casale? Are they basically put together the same way?

I ask as a friend has issues with his and we need to do a teardown and it would be great if the info that has been shared here applies to these drives as well.

If this thing is a basket case, we have the opportunity to get hold of another box made by Haines and Hellier to replace it with, Ive heard of these, but cant find any info... can anyone help?:)

Cheers
Tony.

[waimo]

Nothing like a Casale.check with Argo they will help,i find them real good to deal with.

[tunnelrunner]

Nothing like a Casale.check with Argo they will help,i find them real good to deal with.

Thanks waimo, finally tracked them down.

http://www.argorace.com.au/

[waimo]

Might be worth talking to some of your local race boat people they all use them even the 1800 hp B.A.D. boats.

[RiverRacer]

Basics are the same when it comes down to maintenace and rebuilds though!..

[tunnelrunner]

So does anyone know about the Haines and Hellier boxes?

[RiverRacer]

Never heard of those, are they similar to a split case???:confused:

[tunnelrunner]

I'm not sure Art, I don't think Ive ever laid eyes on one... or if I have, havent taken notice.

Some of our high h.p. ski race guys use em I know, I just assumed they came from your side of the pond.... perhaps they don't.

Anyway, we'll pull this POS out of Garys boat tonite and strip it and see.

[RiverRacer]

Who knows maybe they do, I just never heard the names but maybe I've seen them before, post a pic maybe it'll refresh the memory!..

[tunnelrunner]

We'll see how bad the argo is tonite... Gary seems to think a bearing has seized and torn the case up.

If its irredeemable, we'll have a look at the H&H and post a pic.

[RiverRacer]

OUCH, that's not good hope it's ok!..

[raysoninoz]

Hi ther tunnel runner just got onto this thread.
Haines & Hellier (not sure if the spelling is right) vdives were and are good boxes. They were quite popular in the 60's, 70's & 80's. A lot of race boats used them, both circuit & ski race boats. Phillip Haines operates out of country NSW and I think is sort of semi-retired, but does all his work from his farm. I believe they are still available.
However most guys run the Argo box. They are at Morpeth NSW, which is not too far out from Newcastle. If they are good enough to run a BAD boat then they can't be too bad. I like the Casale box but the problem with that here in Aus. is that there are very few people who service them & parts availability is scarce & the bits are costly. When you consider Rex Marine wants nearly 1000 US dollars for the whirlaway kit then add freight & whatever they become dear. It's the same if you want to change gears.
But as I have a US boat I will keep the Casale in it as that's how it came from Rudy's shop.:confused::o:confused:

[RiverRacer]

Haines & Hellier (not sure if the spelling is right) vdives were and are good boxes.

You wouldn't happen to have a pic of one would ya??, I don't recall the names but wondering if I saw one before!..:confused:

[tunnelrunner]

Thanks Raysoninoz. We pulled the drive out of friends boat, front housing was stuffed as a bearing had seized and spun. Pretty ugly but repairable. I've lent him my box to get him through the day at Sundays races. Its his debut race so the pressure is on a bit... then to top it off, my father-in-law passed away yesterday morning so its been a bloody hectic couple of days.:(

[RiverRacer]

Thanks Raysoninoz. We pulled the drive out of friends boat, front housing was stuffed as a bearing had seized and spun. Pretty ugly but repairable. I've lent him my box to get him through the day at Sundays races. Its his debut race so the pressure is on a bit... then to top it off, my father-in-law passed away yesterday morning so its been a bloody hectic couple of days.:(

Sorry to hear that, it's always hard losing a family member, condolences go out to you and the family!..

[Terrible toy]

So does anyone know about the Haines and Hellier boxes?

Yeah! I saw one of them in a Fidoclod T deck once. The guy was running a V12 Miller side valve boxer motor with a Framitz huffer and slide vane dual butter fly injectors. I think it would have been a killer deal except he had one of those damn Mallory Unilite distributers in it.:D:D

[RiverRacer]

Yeah! I saw one of them in a Fidoclod T deck once. The guy was running a V12 Miller side valve boxer motor with a Framitz huffer and slide vane dual butter fly injectors. I think it would have been a killer deal except he had one of those damn Mallory Unilite distributers in it.:D:D

Damn, that must have been one cool piece would have like to seen that!.. Yeah, that Unilite $hit sucks don't it!..:D

[raysoninoz]

Sorry to hear that, it's always hard losing a family member, condolences go out to you and the family!..

My condolences too tunnelrunner. Lifes bloody tough at times ...
I say this with sincerity as I work in the funeral industry.

I think I can get a photo of one of thses boxes as my mate has one in his Thurgar T-deck. They are very box like and a lot bulkier looking, square top & edges not rounded like the argo or casale.:confused:

[RiverRacer]

They are very box like and a lot bulkier looking, square top & edges not rounded like the argo or casale.:confused:

Sounds like an old Casale top loader??..

[tunnelrunner]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. Dads passing wasn't unexpected, he had been very ill for 3 years, so in a way its a weight off my other half's shoulders.Life goes on...


My friends V-drive is repairable, so we wont be pursuing the Haines and Hellier box, but would still be interesting to see what they are.

[RiverRacer]

Glad to hear it's repairable!..:cool:

[ando79]

We'll see how bad the argo is tonite... Gary seems to think a bearing has seized and torn the case up.

If its irredeemable, we'll have a look at the H&H and post a pic.

my mates boat has one in a '79 camero, the output shaft was stuffed in his and he managed to track down the manufacturer and get one spun up for a pretty good price. gaskets and gears are are also available. the guy apparently does a lot of agricultural machinery gearboxes. I will ask my mate when I see him if he still has contact details for anyone else who may be interested.