2001 Mercruiser 4.3 v6 engine alignment

darius333

Recruit
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
4
Hi. I’m new boater and hope that the iboats.com forum will help me. Yesterday me and mobile marine mechanic pulled engine out of the boat for flywheel replacement.So i did replaced a flywheel without issues.The marine mechanic was very poor qualified so i have a few questions.
1. Mechanic decided that the best option to remove engine is to unscrew front mounts lag bolts from the stringer instead of unbolting the mount top nuts and just leave engine mounts bolted to the stringer.I don’t think so that was right decision? Any opinions would be great.
2.When we installed engine back one of four lag bolts was over tightened and now it’s moving freely.Mechanic informed me that this is not a problem and just forget it. I’m very doubtful?
3.And last thing which is absolutely ridiculous! When i’ve asked a mechanic to bring his engine alignment tool and complete engine alignment after i’ve installed the engine back where it was he informed me that there absolutely no need to do engine alignment because the engine been installed exactly in the same place where it was. I think this is NONSENSE!!! Can anyone advise me on the above please?
Today i did ask him to come back and complete engine alignment and this is what he did reply by text message:

As i said yesterday that the gimbal bearing is aligned with the engine spines and if these are 1mm out the sterndrive would not fit back on and as you saw me fit the sterndrive with ease there cannot be any alignment issue. If you have doubts on the alignment which is perfectly fine as the drive slipped on easily i than can confirm that my alignment tool would slip in just the same as the drive did so fail to see how this will prove anything as the tool is the same size as the drive shaft which fitted easily.


Thanks for everyone who will find a bit of time for useful information on the above.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
WOW....

1 & 2. Removing lag bolts and not top nuts. Either is fine. Personally I take the top nut off because of exactly the problem you now have, stripped lagbolts. You need to remove the bolts, fill the holes with resin and start again.

3. Not doing an alignment. WOW. Find a new mechanic. This guy is full of it, and 'it' isn't knowledge... Even with the alignment quite a way out, the drive can still slide on. The splines have enough compliance to enable that. That said, that doesn't mean an out of alignment engine won't chew up a coupler. And as you replaced the flywheel, the coupler was removed. An alignment check/adjustment is CRITICALLY important!

Chris......
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,310
Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... #1 is Correct,......

#2,... Fill the hole with resin 'n filler, then put the bolt back in,....

3#,..... Yes, anytime the motor is pulled, checkin' the alignment is Critical,.....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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51,394
You need a new "mechanic".... And i use that term loosly....the guy is a hack
 

Rick Stephens

Admiral
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
6,118
At least the guy was kind enough to show his total ignorance in a text. darius333, you just keep on doing your thinking thing. You're pretty much right over the target.

If the lag bolts bite into wood, it may be possible to use 3M 5200 and glue them in when you reinstall. If the wood is missing and no bite, then drilling the holes out and filling, then redrilling is required.
 

harringtondav

Commander
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
2,479
Alignment tools aren't that expensive. Google "mercury outdrive alignment tool". Used are available on eBay <$20. The coupler pilot is 1.010" diameter. The gimbal bearing pilot is 1.375" diameter.
 

darius333

Recruit
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
4
Thanks for all. Developed another problem. After installation engine back into the boat starter motor occasionally only clicking or cranking slowly.The battery negative cable smoked and melted. Any ideas guys? Thanks
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,310
The battery negative cable smoked and melted. Any ideas guys?

Ayuh,..... When dealin' with electricity, Heat equals resistance,.......

Either the ground cable is bad, or the ends are corroded,....
 
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