Starboard motor mount stud nut

[midnightrider1818]

Hey guys. I noticed my Starboard motor mount nut was loose and backed off alot. Not sure if the bottom nut moved down or top nut moved up. I've been researching and they say you should check your alignment. How do you do that. Pull the drive and take that bar and stick in through the gimbal and hub. I was wondering if I could check it any other way. Trying to get through the season. Been walleye fishing. Anybody have any tips. It's a 84 Mark twin 305 cubic inch engine. 898

 

[NHGuy]

Well, the correct thing is just what you are trying to avoid. If you skip the check you risk coupler damage, and possible gimbal bearing damage. Replacing the coupler requires engine removal. You don't want that.
So the wise thing is to check &/or reset the alignment before using the engine.
You remove the drive insert the bar and adjust to get even witness marks in the grease that coats the inner tip of the bar.

 

[achris]

Checking alignment is a 3 step process, with each step less than 5 minutes. If you find the alignment is out, then add a fourth, 30 minutes step. Weigh that against 3 to 4 hours to remove the engine, couple of hours to replace the damaged coupler, 3 to 4 hours to re-fit the engine, THEN 30 minutes to adjust the alignment.....

Here are your steps by video......

Removing Alpha style drive

Checking alignment

Installing Alpha style drive

Avoid doing this at your own peril.

Chris.......

 

[Scott Danforth]

this is the pay now or pay later, however your going to pay type of thing, except it is align now, or align later, however you will be aligning. as Chris mentioned, you either align it now making sure everything is good to go, or when you take out your coupler, you will be aligning then.

plus, drive removal and gimbal / bellows inspection is part of your bi-anual maintenance that you have been doing religiously, right?

 

[midnightrider1818]

Ok I ordered a engive alignment bar. LooKS pretty straight forward. Now I just gotta build me a stand to hold it

 

[midnightrider1818]

Got one more question do I need to loosen the rear motor mounts when doing my alignment

 

[achris]

Got one more question do I need to loosen the rear motor mounts when doing my alignment

No, leave them at spec torque. (the rear mount itself is rubber and will allow for a significant amount of movement, way more than you'll be making. )

 

[midnightrider1818]

Ok got drive off today. Noticed water in my bellows. I don't see no tears in the boots. I was also wondering how do you grease the gimbal before reinstallton and how do you post pics