Alignment Tool

[mainer92]

I tried doing some searching but didn't have much luck. I'm getting ready to do some engine work to my 06' 3.0/ Alpha 1 and I need to get an alignment tool. The Mercruiser brand is $200 and the Sierra is $120, seems like a lot for a piece of steel. Anybody ever buy one off eBay? $38 free shipping seems hard to beat, and as long as they machined it right there shouldn't be a quality issue. What does everyone think?

Also, what about the combo, gamble bearing driver/ alignment bars. Looks like I can get one of them for only about $20 more. Is it worth having that or can the gimble bearing be done with standard automotive pullers and drivers?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-...QAAOSwZ4RcLn7z

 

[Scott Danforth]

dimensions in the stickies if you want to make your own.

many people buying off of ebay, and yes the other pieces help.

 

[HT32BSX115]

If you know someone with a lathe, buy them a case of beer and have one made! That way you'll know it's straight and true. I bought one from ebay and it was bent!

I have 2 neighbors with lathes and made one in about 20 min! (30 min to set it up!)

You're probably just fine with one from ebay. My first one was a "fluke" (a bent fluke!)

 

[porscheguy]

I bought mine from amazon. $45. Looks straight, and no different from Mercruiser.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Got mine on Ebay, too.

 

[mfelthousen]

I also got mine from Amazon- it is a MarineTech bar that splits in half (but is very solid when assembled) and comes with a gimbal driver. $77 shipped.

 

[AShipShow]

Got mine off ebay... Just get a cheap pair of digital calipers while your ordering it and verify the diameters.
Calipers are a great tool to have anyways, and you can make sure your bar is good... Mine was perfect

 

[mainer92]

Thanks for the replies, I just ordered one off eBay. I'll verify the specs when I get it, I have access to a machine shop, but for $50 I don't think it would be worth the trouble to make it.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Thanks for the replies, I just ordered one off eBay. I'll verify the specs when I get it, I have access to a machine shop, but for $50 I don't think it would be worth the trouble to make it.

If you do buy it from ebay, Take it to the machine shop and spend 15 min chucking it up and putting a dial indicator on it to check the runout.

The one I got from ebay was bent slightly. If i had cut it off and re-turn it, it would have been a little shorter than I wanted so I just grabbed a piece of round stock and made another one.

I guess I could have just whacked it a few times with a big mallet to straighten it out but I had the round stock and a few min to turn another one.

Cheers,

Rick