Cant get alignment...

[Jsand]

Mercruiser 5.0L and Alpha 1 outdrive. I have an alignment bar i ordered off Ebay. I have measured it, and it appears to be correct. I can't get this thing to even start in the hole. I have looked up there countless times with flashlight, i have raised the front of the engine all the way up looking for that sweet spot, i have lowered it all the way down looking. NOTHING Works! I replaced the Gimbal bearing, i have smacked it in, to verify that it is in all the way. NOTHING. What the blazes am i doing wrong here?
I had to pull the engine first to look for a problem and then re-installed it, and now all these problems. The back end is sitting exactly how it should.
Any other ideas, before my kids see a grown man cry.

 

[tpenfield]

You have to 'wiggle' the gimbal bearing a little with the alignment tool so that it mates with the coupler. Usually a smack up or down does the trick. Then it is a matter of if the alignment tool can go into the couple and how easy it is.

 

[Jsand]

I appreciate the help. I didn't realize the bearing would move a little bit. I got it, and i didn't even have to cry. Thanks

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

That's why a new gimbal bearing has to be aligned. Because it moves.