Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

[Pete636]

Hello!<br /><br />I have owned this boat for 3 seasons now. Each year it is very difficult to install the starboard Alpha 1 Gen 2 drive. (5.0L engines)<br /><br /> This season past it was extrememly difficult to remove it. I have checked the alignment multiple times and even the local mechanic has checked it and said it was ok. I had the gimbal changed last season before summer and it seemed rough when I pulled the boat for winter. I installed another gimbal and now I cannot install the drive at all. The gimbal is a merc part. I am cetain that it is installed correct and seated properly. I have tried the alignment bar and it does not even make it to the coupler. My alignment attempts and adjustments have all failed. The best I could get is lowering the front of the engine most of the way down and the bar goes in but not easily - it shows heavy spline marks in the grease on the bottom!!. Adjusting the engine up prevents the alignment bar from entering the coupler at all. Anyone have a suggestion???<br /><br />Thanks in advance!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

The inner part of the gimbal bearing can move around from the outer part, therefore the new gimbal bearings have to be aligned to the existing engine position when you change them. I normally have to put the alignment bar in and twist move the inner bearing to line up with the coupler. Since you have moved the engine, try to put it back close, get the bearing aligned so the bar will go into the coupler a little ways. Then tap gently up and down, and side to side by hand (I now use a rubber mallet, my hands are getting tired of being a hammer). Then continue to align as normal till you get it back in alignment.

 

[Pete636]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

Don<br /><br />The bars seems to stop solid at the coupler...I can't seem to get it started even a little in the coupler - is that normal? should I try a little harder to get it into the coupler?<br /><br />thanks<br />Pete

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

That's because it probably not going into the hole. Go inside the boat and look. Like I said the inside of the gimbal bearing moves compared to the outside, not easy, but it does move. Put the bar in the gimbal bearin and push it up and down with some force (Don't hammer it) you will see what I mean.

 

[Pete636]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

Don S.<br /><br />THANK YOU!! IT WORKED!! I was able to get the alignment bar all the way in. I have it adjusted now and I can push/pull the bar in/out with only my thumb and index finger - very easy. <br /><br />I did find no matter how high I adjusted the front of the motor I didn't get many "tracks" on the top of the bar and the higher I went the more effort it was to slide the bar in. Is that a huge deal?<br /><br />As it sits I am a little heavy on the bottom and a very light tracks on the top...at least they are noticable. Am I good?<br /><br />Also this motor is about a 1/4" lower in the front than the port engine - is that normal? <br /><br />Again Thanks for all your help - I was having a real hard time not only with the problem at hand but I am recovering from a hernia operation and it was killing me going through this...<br /><br />Thank you!!<br />Pete<br />Lake Saint Clair , Michigan

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

Did you put grease on the alignment bar? Grease it up good first then stick it in. IF there are still no marks on the top, you may be hitting the top of the bearing when you pull the bar out.

 

[Pete636]

Re: Mercruiser Alignment problem??!!

Don - <br /><br />was only putting a light film of grease on the end of the bar - should there more than that?<br /><br />thanks<br />Pete