Engine Alignment

[ralphy670]

Hi all,

While installing the drive today, I noticed my alignment bar going in a little tight this year. I believe I need to lower the engine slightly when checking the spline marks on the bar.

My question is, do I need to have the engine hoisted by the eye ring or can I make this adjustment by spinning the nuts on the mounts without the engine being supported? I don't have a hoist and I don't want to damage the mounts. If it must be hoisted, I'll take it to a marine shop for the adjustment.

Thanks

 

[Alumarine]

You don't say what you're working on but as rule you make the adjustment by turning the top and bottom nuts on the front mount.
No need to support the motor.

 

[Bondo]

You don't say what you're working on but as rule you make the adjustment by turning the top and bottom nuts on the front mount.
No need to support the motor.

Ayuh,.... Ditto Marc,..... Raise the front mounts to lower the coupler,....

 

[ralphy670]

Sorry, it's a 4.3 mercruiser alpha one gen 2. I have heavier spline marks on the top and finer on the bottom of the tool.

 

[Bondo]

Ok, so lower the front mounts 1/2, or a full turn on each nut,...

Back off the top nuts, 'n adjust with the lower nuts,...

 

[ralphy670]

Wouldn't that lower the coupler

 

[Bondo]

I have heavier spline marks on the top and finer on the bottom of the tool.

Yer Right,.... Thank you,.. I'll edit above,... ya need to raise it abit,.... let the mounts down,...
Sorry,... movin' to fast, lost attention,...

 

[ralphy670]

No problem bondo, thanks for the help. I'll give it a shot and report back.

 

[ralphy670]

Well it took some finicking but the bar goes in very easy....almost too easy if there is such a thing.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[ralphy670]

So after I achieved the results of my engine alignment above, it feels like i may have a slight vibration at idle. I am not sure if the exhaust in the water can cause the hull to vibrate at bit as i may be just a tad paranoid.

Should I pull the drive to check again? After my results above, the drive went on way easier than it has in the past so I figured I had perfect alignment. I may also try to start it on muffs on the trailer to see if a vibration is evident.

Is there anything else i should check? The prop is in perfect shape and I did not hit anything in the water.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Might want to check that the rear engine mount bolts are tightened properly. If loose, they may have been the root cause of your issue. If they do require tightening, you will want to re-check the alignment.

 

[Scott06]

If the alignment bar and drive went in easy you may be paranoid. Did you tighten the mounts fully? I had vibration at speed related to ujoints, if your ujoints and gimbal were good I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[AShipShow]

It's a 4.3, they all vibrate lol

 

[ralphy670]

Well I pulled the drive again and checked the mounts. They were all tight and the bar slipped in very easy again at every 90 rotation. Looks like I blew 10 bucks and an hour cause I'm paranoid.

Thanks for all the help folks.

 

[enginesilo]

Well I pulled the drive again and checked the mounts. They were all tight and the bar slipped in very easy again at every 90 rotation. Looks like I blew 10 bucks and an hour cause I'm paranoid.

Thanks for all the help folks.

Sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry, at least now you won't think about it and wonder.

 

[achris]

It's a 4.3, they all vibrate lol

Err, no. The 4.3litre V6 is a very smooth running engine. I've had 2 in my own boat and I still look after many more. I also sold them when I was a Mercruiser dealer, and their low noise level and smoothness was one of the main selling points.

Chris.........