Need help with alignment tool

[NMBuzz]

4.3L Mercruiser, Alpha One Gen II drive

Will a universal clutch alignment tool work to align the flywheel coupler with a gimbal bearing?

I have the motor back in (and I did not move the jam nuts on the motor mounts at all) but I'm having a hard time locating an alignment tool (without spending ~ $100.00).

If I need to I will, but wondering if the universal alignment tool would work.

I appreciate any feedback on this.

 

[flargin]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

4.3L Mercruiser, Alpha One Gen II drive

Will a universal clutch alignment tool work to align the flywheel coupler with a gimbal bearing?

I have the motor back in (and I did not move the jam nuts on the motor mounts at all) but I'm having a hard time locating an alignment tool (without spending ~ $100.00).

If I need to I will, but wondering if the universal alignment tool would work.

I appreciate any feedback on this.

Ebay has them for 50, I just got one a few months ago. I don't think a clutch tool will do anything, since this is not trying to align the flywheel to a clutch, it is aligning the plate mounted to the flywheel to the gimble bearing mounted in the transom...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

Will a universal clutch alignment tool work to align the flywheel coupler with a gimbal bearing?

Howdy,


If you do not have the OEM service manual for your particular engine and drive, NOW would be a good time to get one if you plan to do any work on it.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[NMBuzz]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

Howdy,


If you do not have the OEM service manual for your particular engine and drive, NOW would be a good time to get one if you plan to do any work on it.


Cheers,


Rick

Good point. I do have the manual and I have done quite a bit of work on it already.

Thanks for the help.

 

[NMBuzz]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

Ebay has them for 50, I just got one a few months ago. I don't think a clutch tool will do anything, since this is not trying to align the flywheel to a clutch, it is aligning the plate mounted to the flywheel to the gimble bearing mounted in the transom...

I am in the process of trying to purchase one on eBay (July 15th..) but lost contact with the seller after they got my payment...

Would you mind sending me a PM with whom you purchased yours from? There are a lot of people selling these and other types of tools on eBay. I have had mostly good luck in the past, but now I am a little gun shy, if you know what I mean.

Thank you.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

Good point. I do have the manual and I have done quite a bit of work on it already.

Thanks for the help.

Well,

I was probably being a little sarcastic....The question about the clutch alignment tool made me think you hadn't seen the inside of an OEM manual! (Sorry about that)

I am a little gun shy about some things on ebay too. I bought an alignment tool a few years ago and it arrived bent! It had about 0.008" run-out.

I made one on a neighbors lathe after that....


Regards,



Rick

 

[NMBuzz]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

Well,

I was probably being a little sarcastic....The question about the clutch alignment tool made me think you hadn't seen the inside of an OEM manual! (Sorry about that)

I am a little gun shy about some things on ebay too. I bought an alignment tool a few years ago and it arrived bent! It had about 0.008" run-out.

I made one on a neighbors lathe after that....


Regards,



Rick

No worries Rick! I think we are all (or should be) pretty thick skinned here. LOL

Yeah I got to looking at it and I had a universal alignment tool..... I guess I was just P.O.'d about my "flea-bay" run and ended up missing a lake trip. But I learned awhile back that a "shortcut" usually is more expensive, embarrassing and causes twice the work in the long run.

Take care, and keep the tips coming!

Brian

 

[JustJason]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

a clutch alignment tool is going to be to small by about 2 inches overall in diameter... plus its not stepped the correct way.

 

[Mik]

Re: Need help with alignment tool

I just did mine last week.

The tool would be much more desirable, but...

I used a 5 lb slide hammer to remove my old one (rented from AutoZone), worked find.

I went to the hardware store and bought a short piece of plumbing pipe (1 1/4 inch pipe I think, slightly bigger tha n 1.5 inches OD) about 18" long, and a flare fitting for the end to adapt it that is about 3" OD (2" adapter?). (about $10 for both) The idea is to be able to press it into place WITHOUT pressing on the inner bearing. You need to press it on the OUTER race only. Then use a big hammer and pound it in, being careful not to get it cocked to the side at all. SHOULD (hopefully) fit now.

IF THE LOWER UNIT WON'T GO IN THE LAST INCH:

Note that the inner bearing can be moved within the outer race. Look at your old bearing, you'll see what I mean.

Once I got the gimble bearing into place, I found that the yoke wouldn't fit. I then took the end of the yoke off the U-Joint (wasn't too bad, you might be able to get by without this step, see below) and used it to figure out how to align it. I used a black felt tip marker to "paint" the outer surface that fits into the bearing and pushed the yoke into the gimble bearing (don't press too hard or it will lodge tight) and then pull back out. See where the marking has been scrapped away. This will tell you which direction you need to twise. Then take a long pipe (slightly less than 1 1/2 inch OD, about 2-3 ft, and push JUST through the bearing (not into the seal on the other side) and pulled the right direction on the pipe to get it to align. I lucked out and first twist got it perfectly aligned.

You MAY be able to paint the yoke on the end of the lower unit and push in without removing the yoke.

This worked for me. Your mileage may vary...

Mik