Engine going out of alignment

[Boilers2000]

Had bellows service done and the shop mentioned that the coupler was in pretty bad shape and that the engine was out of alignement where they couldn't get the alignment tool in. Said it took four turns to get the engine aligned. I pulled the engine in Oct '18, and when I realigned I used an alignment tool and greased the end to make sure there there marks evenly around, and the tool moved in and out with ease. My question is what could cause an engine to go out of alignment, and if it was out of alignment that much how did I ever get it put back together?

Thanks in advance...counting down to boating season.

 

[Scott Danforth]

rubber mounts take a set
rubber mounts can fail
your engine mounting blocks glued into the hull can be rotten and sinking.

there are many reasons. this is why you check alignment every year.

 

[Boilers2000]

Are the rubber mounts on the inner transom plate? It's properly aligned now, but what symptoms should I be looking for to see if it's slipping out of alignment again mid season? I would say all last year it ran great, and I can't point to anything that would have indicated it was slipping out of alignment.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have rubber mounts at the transom plate and really squishy rubber mounts at the engine (because you have a non-balance shaft 4.3)

 

[tank1949]

Had bellows service done and the shop mentioned that the coupler was in pretty bad shape and that the engine was out of alignement where they couldn't get the alignment tool in. Said it took four turns to get the engine aligned. I pulled the engine in Oct '18, and when I realigned I used an alignment tool and greased the end to make sure there there marks evenly around, and the tool moved in and out with ease. My question is what could cause an engine to go out of alignment, and if it was out of alignment that much how did I ever get it put back together?

Thanks in advance...counting down to boating season.

92? Been there and feel your pain. In my case transom was rotten. It appears to have ruined one of my couplers too! Pound on transom and if you hear hollow sound, get ready to pull motor/OD/transom assembly. Stringers may have rot too. Pound them also. If salt water boat, used good transom assembly parts are available on Ebay. You most likely will have a lot of corrosion, if salt water used. If fresh water boat, not so much corrosion. If you have a transducer on transom, unscrew your screws and pray no water or crud comes out. Again, I feel your pain!

 

[Boilers2000]

I've somewhat suspected transom, but I have banged all over that transom and it sounds firm. I have sat on the swim platform and practically stood and jumped on the drive and gotten no movement. If this bellows service doesnt fix the leak then I know it's the transom because I have changed everything else. The thing I am hoping for is that at the end of last season I finally found a rip in the shift cable bellow. So hopefully bellows.

If it is the transom do I cut my losses and move on or probably pay what I bought it for to have the transom replaced? We'll see once it warms up, but I've learned a ton more on what to look for when buying a used boat.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Pounding may not tell a thing. Drill a few low down holes with a 3/8ths drill from the inside. USe tape on the drill bit to keep from going too deep and punching a hole in the outside glass. Look at the wood that comes out on the drill bit. Dark, wet, mushy, bad transom. Same with the stringers in front of the motor mounts.

After finished, use some 3M 5200 to fill the test holes permanently.

Note, I redid my transom when I swapped over motors. It's a hefty but satisfying job.

 

[Boilers2000]

You want to take on another one...I'll provide beer and pizza!

 

[havoc_squad]

You want to take on another one...I'll provide beer and pizza!

I believe it would go like this: "I'll supervise so you get it right as a low cost consultant, it's your turn to pay your dues and get dirty."

 

[JASinIL2006]

Knocking on the structure is misleading. You have to drill holes, as Rick notes.

 

[Boilers2000]

I'd be fine with the low cost consultant arrangement...I've enjoyed doing a lot of the work myself on this 28 year old boat! I just wish I had a barn or something to do a lot of the work in the winter.

 

[tank1949]

I'd be fine with the low cost consultant arrangement...I've enjoyed doing a lot of the work myself on this 28 year old boat! I just wish I had a barn or something to do a lot of the work in the winter.

Perhaps build a pole barn with heavy beams to pull motors. I did!

 

[Rick Stephens]

Big part of the decision is how much time you have available to do the job. If not much time to do it personally, then it flat ain't worth paying a shop for it. It will cost as much to replace just the transom as the boat is worth, let alone all the other little fiddly bits that crop up and take a lot of time to deal with. Hence the high prices quoted by a pro. Far better to sell the beastie and go find a usable boat and go boating. And if little personal time available, then sell it so you don't have a hanger queen for a couple years.

 

[tank1949]

Big part of the decision is how much time you have available to do the job. If not much time to do it personally, then it flat ain't worth paying a shop for it. It will cost as much to replace just the transom as the boat is worth, let alone all the other little fiddly bits that crop up and take a lot of time to deal with. Hence the high prices quoted by a pro. Far better to sell the beastie and go find a usable boat and go boating. And if little personal time available, then sell it so you don't have a hanger queen for a couple years.

Rick, I had about 3,500 $ quote just for removal and replacing transom (duel I/Os) with marine grade plywood. This was AFTER I pulled and stored all aluminum and iron. It has taken me more than a year, but I am an old retired fart. Fortunately, I had tools and a couple of fishing buddies and good forums. I feel this fellow's pain.

 

[Boilers2000]

So is there any trade in value left in this boat, I know there are tons of variables? I bought it as a trial just to ensure that the family enjoyed boating. If I could get one more season out of it I would like to look for something newer, but can I get anything for this old girl, or do I drop her off at the dump?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Anything can be sold on Craigslist. So yeah.

 

[achris]

So is there any trade in value left in this boat, I know there are tons of variables? I bought it as a trial just to ensure that the family enjoyed boating. If I could get one more season out of it I would like to look for something newer, but can I get anything for this old girl, or do I drop her off at the dump?

If the engine, transom assembly and drive are good, pull them, cart the hull away for firewood and in a couple of months there's going to be a heap of good hulls on the market with busted engines! People who either forgot to or didn't winterize properly are going to be looking to unload their boats.... And the more busted the engine, the better for you....

Chris.........

 

[Scott Danforth]

So is there any trade in value left in this boat, I know there are tons of variables? I bought it as a trial just to ensure that the family enjoyed boating. If I could get one more season out of it I would like to look for something newer, but can I get anything for this old girl, or do I drop her off at the dump?

trade-in value on a 29 year old boat...... none
re-sale value on a 29 year old boat...... there is always a buyer on craigslist

you havent looked to see what the issue is, and you are already looking to dump it at the local dump? before you condemn the boat, maybe you should find out what your issue is.

could be bad mounts

could be soft structure

until you actually look, you do not know. the rest of us simply gave you potential and probable reasons your alignment is drifting.

if it is a soft structure....

the work is not hard if you do need to restore the hull. and with the guidance in this forum https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...ion/boat-restoration-building-and-hull-repair

specifically links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b (in that order) of this sticky https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

 

[Boilers2000]

I'm not throwing in the towel until I know what's wrong. Just hadn't really contemplated replacing the existing boat so was curious. I pick the boat up today so I will be able to poke around the mounts and the coupler. Thanks again for all the great advice on this forum, particular to the majority of you that have responded to this thread. The speed of responses from you guys is incredible, and honestly have gotten me out of stuck point doing working on something! You guys are the best!

 

[tank1949]

So is there any trade in value left in this boat, I know there are tons of variables? I bought it as a trial just to ensure that the family enjoyed boating. If I could get one more season out of it I would like to look for something newer, but can I get anything for this old girl, or do I drop her off at the dump?

Just make absolutely sure transom is rotten before making final decision. Also, remember that any potential buyer could find rot and not want the headaches.