Alignment tool stuck

[SeattleMatt]

So I am attempting to do an alignment on mh alpha gen 2 after replacing thr engine and the tool is stuck. The tool goes in a lot easier than it comes out. At this point I have it stuck and it won't budge. I wonder if I got a bad tool,I bought if off eBay. It has a horizontal grain that seem to me like it could be a problem

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Ayuh,... If it's Stuck in the gimbel, the alignment is Not Right...

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Lol, ya.
Any tricks to getting it out?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Find someone stronger? Don't let a boy do a man's job!

Seriously...Try to twist/rotate it as you pull.

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Well I had been working on the boat for 9 hours straight till 4 am in the pouring rain after a full day of normal work so I was a probably a little weak. It looks like I have to give up af this point and pay to let it sit in the boatyard for 3 more days while I find something else to do for my memorial day weekend.

I think I got a crappy alignment tool and it's binding more than it should due to the rough surface.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

clamp a big pair of vice grips on the bar and hit the pliers from the transom side with a hammer.. hit as close to the bar as possible. 3 taps it'll be out
wrap a rag around the bar to protect the knurl if you are fussy about that sort of stuff

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Thanks, I'll try that.

Did you put grease on it before sticking it in there?

Hmmm...something about that doesn't sound right!

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

I put the tool in just so it touches the coupler, using my fingers as a guide freaching around the bellhousing in the engine bay and it feels like the tool hits the coupler about 1/4 inch above center. Is it possible there is something wring with my rear mounts? Or should I just continue aligning? Should I go up or down? Does it pivot? It seems like adjusting the front engine mounts down would bring the coupler housing up since one end is fixed? Or does the whole engine move up and down with the fron mounts only?

 

[Don S]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

You first have to align the inside of the gimbal bearing to the coupler. You use the alignment bar and twist the inside of the gimbal bearing so the alignment bar starts in the coupler. Then you bump the alignment bar with a rubber mallet a 0, 90, 180, and 270? to get it centered. Then and only then can you start moving the engine around to line up with the bar. Bump the bar often in the process.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

If the bar is a 1/4" high at the coupler you want to lower the front mounts, this will raise the rear to meet the bar. Before you jam the bar in eyeball it from the gimble with a light to get it close. After you get the bar to go in/out of the coupler smear the grease on the end and pull it straight out without twisting it. you'll see where the coupler spline marks are more pronounced on top or bottom to tell you which way to do the fine adjustment to get the bar to glide in/out with ease.

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

So

1. My rear motor mounts should be ok? I just read about adding a new spring washer when the engine is replaced.
2. Tap around to align the gimbal with the coupler?
3. Up is down and down is up?

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Maybe I torqued my rear motor mounts too much? I didn't measure just made them nice and tight.

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

If the rear mounts were shot or you stuck in new ones you will need to match the engine height/alignment to retrieve your tool. If you had to force the tool in you are obviously out of alignment. Try going up/down with the front. Ascertain if it gets worse or better as you go.

One more trick... try putting your chain fall back on the engine and lift it as you did when you took it out. Yes that means take the bolts out of the rear mounts. SMALL steps up, front and rear and you may free the bar.

Are you sure you got the right mounts? Tightening them is not the issue. If they weren't inserted/seated correctly that may be a problem as well.

Hope that helps...

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Did you put the spring washers in? Here's a typical merc mount pic for ya. Check your application and parts listing to be sure. I'm not sure there "all" the same but most are of this nature.

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

I was able to get the tool out. Now I am working on alignment. The rear mounts are back the way they came off because if the washers came off I would have found them.

 

[actionljackson]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Slow Boy I see your in Seattle I am not far from you and went through the engine alignment about a month or so ago with my engine.Maybe I can help I know it was so much easier having someone in the boat to adjust while the other worked the alignment tool.Contact me if ya need a helping hand and I have the time I would be glad to help out
~Leo

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Well, I'm going to try to pry the engine up a little and inspect the rear mounts to make sure they have the lock washers installed.

Would the alignment tool even go in if these weren't present? I was able to get it all the way in a few times, had to beat it out tho.

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

Of the splines show on the top of the tool do I lower or raise the front mounts?

The service manual just says to use a hoist. Not much help.

 

[SeattleMatt]

Re: Alignment tool stuck

So I had to lower the engine to the very bottom to get it aligned and now the tool goes all the way in almost smoothly. Problem is that I don't have any more shaft on the engine mounts. I need still have need a little more down engine to get it smoother. What am I doing wrong?