Engine alighment

[Aviator5]

Hello guys.
I'm new to this forum, and here is my question. This is my third boat.
I've got 86 Wellcraft Monte Carlo with twin 4.3L Mercs with 650 hrs on them. I aquired the boat last spring and had it in the water last summer. Now, since I have drives off, I desided to check the alighment.
First - port engine was too high, and lined up fairly easy, but spline marks on the tool are always wider on the port side of the tool, no matter how the crank shaft is positioned (I did it in 90 gdegree inkrements) and tool goes in fairly easy too. So the firgs question is- is it normal, or how do I alighn the engine sideways.
Second - the starboard engine won't line up at all. If I set it perfectly and rotate the crankshaft, the alighment goes off. I can find the medium spot where the tool goes easy in and out in any crancksaft position, but the spline marks will be always wider on one side depending on the position of the crankshaft. So the question is - do I have to replace the coupler? Or something else may be wrong? Or is it OK to leave it like this? Last sommer I haven't noticed any wibration or anything abnormal, although port side yoke splines were worn out, but I don't know the servise history.
Thanks to all.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Engine alighment

first question... check your rear motor mounts. make sure everything is there as it appears in the manual/parts listing. It's possible that somebody there before you took them apart and didn't put them back together.

2nd question.... check the same stuff. But if the splines were worn off the yoke i'd be having a better look at the coupler. You may get lucky and just pull the gimball bearing out and get in there with a flashlight.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Engine alighment

Thanks,
I think I mixed up a few things in my original post.

The worn out splines on the yoke were on the port engine, which was too high, and there are some signs that port engine was reinstalled. I've checked rear mounts on both, they seem to be allright, but as I mentioned before, the marks on the tool are wider on the left side of the tool always.

The starboard yoke splines seem OK. (can't tell much about coupler splines, as you advised may have to pull gimbal bearing to see). But the spline marks travel as I rotate the engine. Feels like coupler is off the center.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Engine alighment

I would agree with your assessment that the coupler is "off center" on the starboard engine. Is it off far enough to cause a problem? That I cannot answer - those in the know I suspect would say to pull the engine and replace the coupler. But wait for more informed and experienced answers on that issue.

On the port engine, like Jason mentions, be sure the rear mounts are installed properly. If they are, then I would suggest loosening the rear mounts and "wiggling" the engine some. I experienced a problem where the rear mounts were correctly installed, but the engine must not have set down completely or something. Anyway, after loosening the rear mounts and wiggling the engine and retightening, then the engine was able to be aligned correctly. Just something to check.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Engine alighment

if you just bought the boat may be pull the engines to get in to them and see what the history of them is. Take you a couple of days but you could replace the couplers for about 100 bucks and then you will some piece of mind. You will be able to be sure the rear mounts were dont right too when you put them back in.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine alighment

You should be able to look through the gimbal bearing and see the splines, if they come up to a sharp point, then they are about worn out and should be replaced. If it shows signs of hitting on the side of the bar, the lag bolts holding the FRONT motor mounts down, may have been installed so that they pushed the engine sideways a bit. this would cause the rear mounts to flex one forward and one aft. Just remove the lag bolts from the motor mounts and see if you can push the engine a little to get it centered. Usully just lifting the front a little will allow it to center itself. Then turn the front mounts redrill the holes and realign. Fill the old holes with epoxy.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Engine alighment

Thanks for the input, guys!
I just looked at the splines thru the gimbal bearing, and on the starboard engine they are pretty sharp while the yoke splines are OK. On the port engine, which was too high, in opposite - coupler splines are OK, but youke is worn out. I just can't understand how that coupler on sraboard engine can go off the center!

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Engine alighment

Ok, here is some update. I followed your advise Don. I started with port engine, wher bar was hitting one side. I took off the rear mount bolts and (what a surprise) found a piece of ground cable 3/8 dia jammed under one of the washers), I removed the lag bolts from the front mounts (also found a small sheets of 1/4 rubber under the mounts, that is probably why the engine was too high) shaked up the engine a bit, then readjusted the mounts, and now it is perfectly aligned.
Now I still have to solve the conandrum with starboard engine. I looked more closely at the coupler splines (now with my glases on ) and also found that it was a grase that make it look like they are sharp. After cleaning the grease away, I could see that splines are almost like new. So what should I do with the coupler? I'll try the same trick with this engine tomorrow, weather permitting. But I think that if that what iti is after 650 hours, then I'll be safe.
It doesnt look like the starboard engine was tempered with, so I assume that coupler is original.