Aligning my ski natique motor

B

b2krawler

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
12
Putting a new/used 351 motor and trans into my 85 natique. It aligns on four post with nuts, nuts are adjustable up/down.<br /><br />two questions, <br />#1 how do i align the motor/trans with the prop shaft. the shaft moves an inch in any direction, so Im not sure how to get it aligned so the shaft is centered?<br /><br />#2 the four engine mounts slide over the four threaded post in the hull, do these mounts just rest right on top of the adjustable nut on the four threaded posts, seems like the post are about 3/4" dia and the hole that goes over them is about an inch, so there is a little slop, is there some type of special insert or washer that goes on before the top nut, or is there just a nut on each side of the mounting hole with no washers. This is an 85 natique and i got it unassembled, so not sure how it was before.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn
 
L

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Aligning my ski natique motor

Slide the shaft end of the coupling into the rear of the engine side with the shaft end resting on the flange and slide all the way forward the alignment is checked with a feeler gauge between the two flanges (no more than .005) the engine must be moved up or down till the flange surfaces are as paralell as possible. We try to float the boat for a couple of days first to let the hull straigthen its self out--Bob
 
N

navigator336

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Messages
270
Re: Aligning my ski natique motor

Laddies answered your question one. You need to check the gap at four points each 90 degrees apart (12,3,6 and 9 O'clock). Also make sure the coupler faces are clean and burr free. Otherwise it may be very difficult to get the 0.005" gap (or less). A part of the alignment is also side to side (hence why you measure the gap at four points). The rods that the engine slides side to side on are called trunions.<br /><br />I can't help you on your question two. On my old Malibu (Merc 350)I don't believe there were inserts. On my current boat (Indmar 350's) the trunion rides on the lower nut and is locked in place with the upper.
 
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