Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

[jam1ej20]

I have a 95 mercruiser 4.3LX with the alpha 1 Gen II outdrive that I've been rebuilding due to improper winterization by the previous owner. I have the motor back together and all is well. I'm almost ready to put the motor back in place and I'm also in the process of replacing the gimbal bearing. Now that I've removed the old bearing, I'm wondering if I should have waited until the motor was back in to use it for alignment of the motor. What are the steps to align a newly inserted motor and gimbal bearing together? Is it pretty straight forward?

Thanks!

 

[45Auto]

Re: Motor out and gimbal bearing out

Re: Motor out and gimbal bearing out

It's straight forward. Doesn't make any difference when you put the gimbal bearing in. The transom shield bolts will take care of the left and right. You're going to have to do the up and down using the motor mount bolts and alignment tool in the gimbal bearing once you drop the motor in.

 

[jam1ej20]

Re: Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

I guess I'm still having trouble envisioning this in my head. Can someone break it down for me as to how one should go about aligning the two together? In what order should they be placed back in the boat and aligned?

Thanks!

 

[45Auto]

Re: Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

1) Put engine back in boat. Bellhousing bolts will be bolted to transom shield, which sets left-to-right alignment of engine and height of rear of engine - no adjustment at these bolts.

2) Install FWD engine mounts (adjustable height) with the adjustment nuts at whatever height makes you happy - not critical at the moment.

3) Install gimbal bearing (could be installed before engine - doesn't matter)

4) Grease end of alignment tool and try to smoothly insert full length into coupler - probably won't go, grease will be rubbed off the FWD diameter that engages the coupler splines on top or bottom.

5) If grease is rubbed off top of alignment tool, front of engine is too high - lower FWD mounts 1/4" or so and try again.

6) If grease is rubbed off bottom of alignment tool, front of engine is too low - raise FWD mounts 1/4" or so and try again.

7) After a couple of adjustments, alignment tool should easily and smoothly slip full depth into coupler - alignment is done.

 

[jam1ej20]

Re: Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

Ok, I was under the impression that the gimbal bearing also required some degree of alignment.

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

My opinion is that the gimbal bearing itself does require some allignment.

The trick/secret is that the bearing can move in the carrier. When I replaced my gimbal bearing, I couldn't understand why I coudn't insert the allignment shaft easily. like before the bearing was changed. With the old one in there I could slide it in and out easily, but the old gimbal bearing was rough and needed to be replaced.

So, I was screwed up, because I thought I didn't drive the gimbal bearing in straight, but it was bottomed out fine. I pulled it and tried it a couple of more
times with no change.

Then, I hit on a thread here, which mentioned tapping the allignment tool softly from all sides while inserting it through the gimbal bearing into the coupler. This will allign the gimbal bearing in the carrier. Et Voila!

So, in your situation I'd recommend the same, but with the added wrinkle that you'll have to combine engine height adjustments with the tool tapping method.

Any comments from those more learned?

Chay

 

[45Auto]

Re: Alignment of new Gimbal bearing after engine replacement

The gimbal bearing can pivot in it's housing (that's why it's called a "gimbal bearing" ......). It probably won't be lined up perfectly with the opening in the coupler when you put it in. You'll have to wiggle it with the alignment tool or lightly tap the tool a couple of times to get it to roughly line up with the opening in the coupler when you start the alignment procedure. It would probably be a good idea to download Manual #18 and look at page 2A-4.