Alignment

[bspeth]

My alignment is pretty good,but I want it perfect. The coupler splines are witnessed at 10:30 on the bar when I pull it out when the engine is in the tightest quadrant. Does that mean I need to reisae the stbd side of the engine a touch?

 

[tpenfield]

I would think the opposite, (lower it), but I find the alignment 'stuff' confusing sometimes. :noidea:

If you can get the marks to 12:00, then both side may need to come down a smidge.

 

[achris]

Raising and lowering of the engine should be done evenly on both sides. Start off initially with the rear engine mounting screws tightened down, lift the front of the engine with a chain block, or similar (there should be a lifting ring attached to the thermostat housing for just this purpose), and run the side mount lower nuts up until their just touch the bottom of the mount. From here on, you move the lower nut on both sides the same. No exceptions.

The full method of checking the alignment is to check it at 90degree intervals. From this you can then determine which way the engine needs to go, up or down (there is no other option)....

If you find that the engine alignment appears to be slightly to one side, it means the transom thickness where the inner and outer transom plate are attached is uneven... Don't try to correct that by moving only one side mount adjusting nut, all you'll do is put stress on the rear mountings (but 'twisting' the engine slightly) and cause them to fail prematurely...

Chris....

 

[bspeth]

This quadrant is the only one which I think is too tight,the other three are very much acceptable.

 

[bspeth]

Alright im going to start over by lifting the front of the engine. I should put tension on the lifting chain before running the front mount nuts down some correct? I am only going to be lifting the front a very small distance so the rear mounts stay tight ,right?Also the lifting eye must be placed(by mercruiser) at the balance point.Have I got it?Thanks

 

[achris]

Alright im going to start over by lifting the front of the engine. I should put tension on the lifting chain before running the front mount nuts down some correct?

Yes. If the alignment is already close, you don't want to raise or lower the engine too much...

I am only going to be lifting the front a very small distance so the rear mounts stay tight ,right?

The rear mounts have rubber centres, so they will flex. Don't overdo it though.

Also the lifting eye must be placed(by mercruiser) at the balance point.Have I got it?Thanks

I've checked my crystal ball, read some tea-leaves and consulted an oracle, and I still can't see your engine. Only you can see if you have the lifting eye. Maybe if you post a photo I'd have a better chance... :facepalm:

Chris....

 

[bspeth]

Yes Chris I have a lifting eye and its on the port side bolted to the front of the intake manifold,about 5.5 inches from the center of the stat housing.I don't know how to post pics Im pretty low tech.does that sound right for a 3.8? I am only assuming that the engine will balance itself out if raised by this.Is that enough info or is a picture necessary? Thanks for taking the time.-B

 

[achris]

If it's off to the side, it will not 'balance itself'. You need to lift from near centre. Sling a line around the water pump housing...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

I find the alignment 'stuff' confusing sometimes. :noidea:.

The thing that confused me for years and why I always got opposite readings from everyone on forums was my use of grease. If grease is used as a thin film like machinists blue vs. gobbing it on like icing a cake, the readings will be totally opposite.

 

[bspeth]

So which method of greasing the tool is most accurate? I will lift from the water pump housing.Thanks

 

[achris]

Thin film of grease.

 

[bspeth]

Thanks again.That is the ONLY way to do it. I didn't even mess with raising the engine with the nuts,just do it with the scissor jack and turn the nuts by hand! All tightened down and Im very happy with it.-B

 

[tank1949]

Thanks again.That is the ONLY way to do it. I didn't even mess with raising the engine with the nuts,just do it with the scissor jack and turn the nuts by hand! All tightened down and Im very happy with it.-B

In the future, be advised that too much grease on spline may cause suction and make spline difficult to pull out. It goes in great! This may confuse and cause you to thing alignment is off. Been there!