Engine alignment changed after engine pull

[bashr52]

I had to pull my 4.3 Mercruiser due to a leaky Y pipe. It turns out the shop that installed the rebuilt engine before I bought the boat did not use the right transom hardware setup, specifically the washers between engine and transom mount. That let the bolts run to far through the mounting nuts and the end of the bolts dug into the Y pipe and pierced a pin hole that was making a little water geyser when the boat was in the water. During reassembly I also found the aluminum mounting nuts had been stripped out and were just tight enough to let the bolts draw down inside of them, but not enough to actually be torqued. All problems were corrected, but when I inserted the alignment bar, I had to adjust the front mounts up a good inch or so to get good engagement with no drag when turned. The mounts were previously at their lowest setting, so much so that I actually had to pull them off the block and run the nuts up high enough to get the wrench to fit.

Would a lack of rear washers/spacers cause that much of a change in alignment? With the mounts as low as they were the fuel/water filter was sitting almost completely tight to the string so removing and replacing it was a real pain. Now there is lots of room for removing/accessing things.

I had replaced my bellows and gimbal bearing last year with the engine at its previous height with no issues. Alignment bar fit just fine. I just need my mind put at ease as to why such a drastic change would be needed?

 

[Bt Doctur]

you dont list a year but did you install the double wound springs?

 

[Rick Stephens]

I am amazed it was possible to align with the rear mounts not exactly right. Shows what I know, I guess. The motor sits on the springs and the fiber washer gives it a bottom. Without both components I would have thought it too far out to rotate into alignment. I don't know what to suggest other than make it up to spec. I have the transom install manual in PDF. If you PM me a email I will send it to you. Here's the rear mount page:

 

[bashr52]

It's a 1994 4.3 with an alpha 1 gen 2. I have the manual, engine is now installed to spec. My question is would not having it installed correctly (like it was when I removed it) cause the mounts to be adjusted that low? There is a significant difference in height now to get the alignment bar to install without binding.

 

[GA_Boater]

It sounds like you've done alignment a few times. This time did you have to bump the gimbal down to get the tool into the coupler?

You fixed the rear mounts and alignment is off. Not surprising because whoever fudged the rear mounts had to lower the front of the motor to do any semblance of alignment.

Since the gimbal bearing is gimbal mounted bearing, it may have been tilted down. The last time the tool slid in and out with ease, but was the tool centered in the gimbal housing or high. After your rear mount fix and alignment, was the bar centered?

This post has the procedure and photos that may show what I mean - https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...gine-alignment-how-to-s?p=4720130#post4720130

Hope this made sense. Your u-joints are going to be happier.

 

[Bondo]

My question is would not having it installed correctly (like it was when I removed it) cause the mounts to be adjusted that low? There is a significant difference in height now to get the alignment bar to install without binding.

Ayuh,..... That's how it works,.....

I too, am surprised it could be aligned sittin' so low, before,.....