engine alignment not going well

[rigsha97]

Have a 2000 Glastron with 4.3 volvo/sx drive. Trying to get engine alignment done and it seems I am real close up and down but I have heavy splines on the right and light on the left(looking towards bow). I can only get tool to slide in approx 3/4 of the tool in. What do I need to do to get left/right alignment right and what direction do I need to move in? Thank you.

 

[StorminNormin]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Rotate the engine 180 degrees and try again. This forum likes to check alignment at 90, 180, 270 degrees. I talked to the tech at local marina in town, and was told that procedure is not in any factory manual, and if they did that they would drive themselves crazy. They have followed the factory recommended method and have not had problems in 50 years.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Howdy,


You might need to go up slightly on one side (mount) and down on the other. which will pull the engine slightly sideways. (this could indicate that it's pulled the wrong way now....I.E. one mount is lower than the other.)

Before you do that however, you should turn the engine 1/2 a turn and see if you get the same indication.

If you do not, the coupler may be "bent" and may need replacement.


In addition, if the gimbal bearing isn't aligned properly (it's like an "eyeball-socket") you can get a similar indication




Regards,


Rick

 

[cr2k]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Did you do the smack down? Put the bar in as far as you can and smack it (either by hand or rubber mallet) at 12-3-6 & 9 o'clock to "set" the gimbal.

 

[telstar1]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Measure the small diameter of your alignment bar, find a piece of round stock abt that size(Cant remember, it might even be 1 inch) and insert that in the splines. Eyeball whether it seems to be in centre of gimball bearing. Try it at 90 180 270 etc. This will tell you whether you have a coupler prob(not uncommon) or are misaligned. If it looks similar in all positions coupler is fine, proceed to alignment.You can do the whole thing with this bar or finisjh off with proper alignment tool. My experience is that the only thing the alignment bar does for ya better is get the gimbal bearing squared up. The straight round stock and eyeball will actually achieve a better alignment than the special tool.By the way even new couplers have a bit of wobble it seems. How much is too much? Im not sure.I did reject one recently because of excessive wobble.
Those of you who have raised their eyebrows about this procedure, I did too till I saw it done and saw how it improved my boats performance. That was 31 years ago and Ive done a more than a few with the straight round stock since. Good results every time.No getting the bar stuck either.

 

[Don S]

Re: engine alignment not going well

It's very simple.
Check your alignment at 0-90-180-270. If the alignment bar shows the same thing at all 4 stops, The engine was probably pushed or pulled to one side when installing the lag bolts holding the front motor mounts to the stringers. In that case, just remove the lag bolts and bump the engine to center it. Get it aligned properly, turn the mount, redrill the holes and relag the mounts down.

NOW, if the alignment changes when you rotate the engine, then the coupler is bad.

 

[scoflaw]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Can the coupler runout be checked while the motor is on the floor, before installation?

 

[rigsha97]

Re: engine alignment not going well

UPDATE: After lots of adjustment I have the alignment tool going in itextremely easy, Turn 180 and it stills goes in all the way but with more resistance(more than two fingers to push) Can this be adjusted out or is the coupler have a "wobble" if so how much wobble would be acceptable? thanks for everyones help.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: engine alignment not going well

If you have it that close, your done. button it up and slap the drive on.
Nothing is perfect, and you cant expect it to be.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: engine alignment not going well

^^^^^ +1 Agreed...

 

[Bluestream]

Re: engine alignment not going well

Grease the shaft well, and put it back on. Check it again after next season.