I have a 1998 Larson 176 Flyer that just had the entire floor structure (stringers, floor deck, etc), including the engine mounts re-fabricated. The shop that did the work re-built the motor mounting "platforms" (where the metal motor mounts attach to the boat structure). They look great and are very strong, but now I need to drill holes in them to attach the motor mounts.
For those who are not familiar with this drive, the end of the impeller shaft has splines that engage with a dampener that is bolted to the flywheel. The dampener has splines in the center that slide over the impeller shaft. There are no other joints in the driveline.
I haven't been able to find much information about aligning the engine with this jet drive. I pulled the impeller shaft from the housing, set the motor in place temporarily and attached the back of the bellhousing to the jet drive (the back of the bell housing clamps to the jet drive around a rubber ring). With the clamp in place, I can slightly move the front of the engine in all directions (due to the rubber in the clamped joint).
I tried re-inserting the shaft and was able to engage the splines on the dampener, but it felt like I was having to force it in (I compared it to the force required to re-insert the shaft with the engine removed - which is almost none). It seems like I can move the engine around enough that it will go in, but how do I know when it is correct? What is the correct method for doing this job? Is there a special tool?
For those who are not familiar with this drive, the end of the impeller shaft has splines that engage with a dampener that is bolted to the flywheel. The dampener has splines in the center that slide over the impeller shaft. There are no other joints in the driveline.
I haven't been able to find much information about aligning the engine with this jet drive. I pulled the impeller shaft from the housing, set the motor in place temporarily and attached the back of the bellhousing to the jet drive (the back of the bell housing clamps to the jet drive around a rubber ring). With the clamp in place, I can slightly move the front of the engine in all directions (due to the rubber in the clamped joint).
I tried re-inserting the shaft and was able to engage the splines on the dampener, but it felt like I was having to force it in (I compared it to the force required to re-insert the shaft with the engine removed - which is almost none). It seems like I can move the engine around enough that it will go in, but how do I know when it is correct? What is the correct method for doing this job? Is there a special tool?
