mercruiser engine alignment tool

[flashback]

just got one yesterday and thought I would check out the alignment. no instructions! why should that suprise me? anyway I would like to know how to use it now that i have it...... any help or any good ideas.............thanks flash.......by the way, this is a pre alpha #1 unit..........

 

[karayj]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

i just had a fun time learning with mine call me if you need help over the phone jayvette75@yahoo.com

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Go to the top of the page,+ Click on Manuals......

 

[karayj]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

bondo is right if you own a boat own a manual why are you checking your alignment did you take out your outdrive ??

 

[flashback]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

I have a clymer manual and its not worth a **** for engine alignment, yes seasprite, I have had my outdrive out a few times, but that doesn't effect the alignment. I just want to check it, I had the engine replaced a few years ago and I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[wires crossed]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Flashback if it aint broke dont fix it.If you have had it apart and it went back together it is aligned.The instructions I have found are insert tool in the same position as the drive shaft came from if the tool bottoms out the motor is aligned at least thats what the instalation manual says on mine. By the way how did you get it apart? mine is stuck half way in between are there any tricks you know of? Like I said if it ain't broke, I had some fiberglass work to do, where?, under the motor of course where else? So I did the whole "I'm gonna pull the motor thing" BAD IDEA, NO GOOD I glanced at the manual and went to work 30 minutes later motor was ready to pull (or so I thought) motor wouldn't let go of the shaft so I propped it up out of the way only needed a couple of inches to get my hand in, repaired the fiberglass and it wouldn't go back together when I was done as I was I pulled out the manual and when you actualy read ALL the directions (side note: WHEN WORKING WITH ENGINE READ STEARN DRIVE DIRECTIONS)instead of looking at the pictures only, it tells you to pull the STERN DRIVE first well the motor is back in place but i cant get the stearn drive off to clean, grease, and inspect for damage I may have caused. any tips or suggestions

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Hey, wires crossed ,<br /><br />You should have posted this rant in your own thread ,"next step will be torching the stern drive off !" <br /><br /> After reading this post I can See What the Problems Are in Your Thread......<br />You Attacked your minor problem, in a Haphazard, 1/2A$$ed Manor...... If you'd had Read the book,+ Done it RIGHT the 1st time, you wouldn't be in the perdicament you're in Now....<br />You'll Soon Learn, Close Enough is Not Good Enough... Just because it Fits, Doesn't make it Right......<br /><br />My Best Guess is,<br />You're Seriously Mis-Aligned Now....!!!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Sorry flashback,<br />Got a little off-topic..... <br />You should cruise over to ebay,+ pick up 1 of the "Factory" Merc Manuals I see there all the time..... <br />Maybe Trent or 1 of the Admirals will have a link to the Complete Bible of the Mod.1 Mercruiser Outdrive....<br />Good Luck with your new Toy, uh Tool.....<br /><br />PS, I've Never gotten Instructions with Any of my Screwdrivers Either......LOL

 

[wires crossed]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Well I think most of this I have already thought of only my manuals are seperate and never mentioned in one looking at the other. That led to most of my problem my problem the manual said 4 bolts and it was off. Not quite the ease it showed. So I screwed up I realize that Just wondering how to fix what I did wrong and maby others will learn from my mistakes too. Didnt mean to offend.

 

[flashback]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Thanks Bondo, love the one about the screwdriver, My dad taught me about how to use a screwdriver when I was about 3, but he didn't know nothin about no alignment tool.......anyway, I have clear idea of the principle of it, I was just looking for any tips anyone may have......Wires crossed, I have to agree with Bondo, If you took the rear mounts loose from the sterndrive without removing the leg, you most likly have it soooo mis-aligned that everything is jammed up real good. There is also some fibre washers and spring washers that go on the rear mounts and if there not on right, it won't line up. I think I would try and pull the motor again, and at the same time have the leg unbolted and a friend work with it. BE Careful!

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

The Best Tip I can give you is, When you get it Close, Grease it up real good,+ Check the "Tracks in the Mud" for Final Tuning of the mounts.....<br /><br />Have Fun...

 

[flashback]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

OK...... makes sense.........grease up the tool and insert it and see where the splines leave the most tracks. in combination with how easy it slides in.......this sounds like fun........

 

[flashback]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Well, I gave it shot yesterday, and it appears everything is ok... the alignment shaft slid right into the coupler with no problem. the splines left a little deeper track in the grease on the bottom than the top. Is this a problem,,,,,,,,,thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Problem ?? Not Really... Depends on just How Anal you like to get about such things......<br />You Could raise the front, lowering the rear of the motor a couple of Thousands... Try rotating the engine by hand in 90*, or 180* increments to see that it's Not Coupler Run-out... Just turn,+ Check,etc, etc.... see if your "Tracks" move...<br /><br />Like I said,<br /> Depends on just How Anal you like to get about such things......

 

[flashback]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Bondo, Im almost as anal as you, so I'll mess with it till either i get frustrated or the darn thing is straight........thanks for the help

 

[oldblumerc]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

hey i had a question along these lines as well. if i pull my gimbal bearing do i need to realign my motor or should this be effected at all.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

if i pull my gimbal bearing do i need to realign

Yes, The Gimbal Bearing is 1/2 the Equation.....

 

[record hunter]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Well I,m no expert but have watched my mechanic a few times. You need to check once in a while if you have any stringer changes or motor mount changes that all efects the alignment . You have to place grease over the entire tool slip in the tool pull out look at the marks or scratch like marks on the grease this tells you which way you have to adjust your mount. So what I would do is try that then adjust your mount keeping track exactly how much you move the nut write it down maybe 1 or 2 turns try the tool if it goes in more easily you went right way in not put back where it was try the other tool should slide in pretty easily with even grease marks hope that helps. My goes off alittle I get a vibration in boat.

 

[Davcar]

Re: mercruiser engine alignment tool

Hi Guys,<br />A couple things I see that I can answer after skimming this thread. If its a merccruiser, and you can't get the outdrive off more then part way its probably because you didn't put it in forward gear. The shift linkages are aligned when in forward and will allow the outdrive to slide off. When in neutral they are angled off to one side. When using an alignment tool it should slide in with a bare minimum of effort. No forcing or pounding. Definately grease it and use spline grease. Use spline grease on the outdrive when reassembling also ,don't use regular grease. If you change your Gimbal bearing, you don't need to change engine alingment, but you may need to somewhat align the bearing itself as it moves up and down, right and left in its housing. This is easy to do if you have an alingment tool. Hope some of this helps....Dave