Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...
Have just read your entire thread,good on you for tackling all this.A few things:
1.I have done the support "the engine remove mount deal with balancer replace mount dont change any settings procedure" successfully without realigning engine,actually several times, with boat in water. Checking alignment is of course preferable but if you dont change the setting on front mount you cannot possibly change alignment!If it is alignment is off afterward that is only because it was wrong to begin with!
2. You did state you heated balancer with a torch. Guess that is why we thought you heated balancer with a torch....Now you say you heated it in oil? Two very different things and I would say impossible to get balancer so hot oil will sizzle (your words) by heating it in oil.I think you did heat it (too much) with torch and that is what ruined oil seal.Id too be concerned that balancer is ruined IF it does have a rubber insert. Not sure if yours does or not.
3.If the bit of side play in stern drive is being noticed by bushing sideways on very back of drive ie near prop,this is not a disaster. I have seen them with several inches of play still working ok.Sounds like yours is a lot better than that. This play is not about alignment its about slop in pins.Often the culprit is the steering arm where it fastens to steering shaft.You say boat wanders this is common on some boats esp. at around 5 knots. Its about hull shape,not slop in drive. Not saying I know exactly what the problem you have is, just keep these things in mind before you start ripping things apart.
