MerCruiser 350 Coupler Vibration - Video

[LiquidC]

Just finishing up assembling my new 350 crate motor with a mixture of new & old parts. I mocked up the motor on a trailer and test ran it. Everything seemed OK except for the coupler. It doesn't seem to be "smooth." It seems to be bouncing around and vibrating. I posted a video, take a look. Is there some kind of special procedure for bolting it up to the flywheel, or am I looking at a new coupler assembly??

 

[LiquidC]

Re: MerCruiser 350 Coupler Vibration - Video

Is this something to be concerned about, or should I install as-is??

 

[1ArmBandit]

Re: MerCruiser 350 Coupler Vibration - Video

i could be completely wrong, but, it seems to me that if the metal splines piece isnt completely balanced, the centrifugal force would cause the rubber in the coupler to flex or "vibrate".....again i could be completely wrong...

and im not sure if they even do balance them, so it could be normal...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: MerCruiser 350 Coupler Vibration - Video

^ I would agree that without anything in the coupler, it would tend to flex and vibrate.... but I have never run one with nothing attached. So I too don't know if that is normal or not.

I would suggest installing the engine and aligning it at 90 degree increments. See how it lines up then.

 

[LiquidC]

Re: MerCruiser 350 Coupler Vibration - Video

Good points guys, thanks. I'm in the same boat ... I haven't run it without anything attached either, so I was "expecting" it to be smooth & balanced. It could even be the grease fitting that is throwing off the balance a little.