3.0 Mercruiser alignment issues

[bw13aq18]

I am trying to align my 1998 3.0 A1GenII Mercruiser. After inserting and removing the alignment tool, I consistently have heavy grease tracks on the starboard side of the bar. I've rotated the engine (90, 180, 270 etc) to check the coupler. Grease markings are always on the starboard side. I can get the grease marks even on the top and bottom. The alignment bar goes in and comes out fairly easily but not as smooth as the some of the posted videos on this forum. My suspicion is the rear motor mounts. They are torqued to spec. Any ideas???

I assume the rear motor mounts are automatically supposed to laterally align the motor.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser alignment issues

You might try loosening the rear mounts and giving the engine a good "shake." I had a situation once where it apparently hadn't "settled in" just right when I installed the engine. A good shake, and re-tightening the rear mounts did the trick.

Also - did you set the gimbal bearing? Put your alignment bar in and tap the end of the bar in 90 degree increments. Up, down, left and right. Then try the alignment again.

 

[bw13aq18]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser alignment issues

I did as you said and it seems to have helped some. I'm still getting heavier grease marks on the right(starboard) side of the alignment bar. However, the bar does go in and out easier now--fairly effortlessly at 90 180 270 etc and all mounts and adjuster nuts tight. Tomorrow I'm going to put the install the drive. As long as it slides on with out hanging up anywhere I'll be happy. Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser alignment issues

I've run into a couple of engines that when lag bolted to the stringers, the engine was pushed to one side in the process.
Removed all lag bolts, just took weight off mounts by lifting front of engine just a little and checked alignment and it was fine. Had to redrill stringer and rebolt it with out moving engine.

 

[bw13aq18]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser alignment issues

That was it. Today I loosened the rear motor mounts, hoisted up the front of the motor just enough to take the weight off the front motor mount, retorqued the rear mounts, dropped the front of the motor back down and waalaa. The front of the engine shifted about 1/8" toward port. Then checked the alignment and the bar sled in like butter. Pretty much even grease marks all the way around. I then refilled the old holes with marine epoxy putty, drilled new holes and coated the inside of the holes with epoxy thinned out with denatured alcohol. Tightened everything back up and the alignment still checked perfect. The drive install was cake. Thanks for the info.