Alpha one install problems

[codesta]

I am trying to re-install my alpha one and am having some difficulty, it stops just short of the studs. Now when i got the boat it wasn't running and we figured the engine didn't work, so we pulled the engine, not really thinking about it we did not take the out drive off first. It turns out the engine is good, we then took the out drive off, it came off very hard, we had to hit the drive shaft with a hammer and a piece of wood to protect it. Turns out the bellows had a leak and the gimbal bearing was rusted up. Had a shop go through the outdrive and fixed what ever needed to be fixed. We have the engine re-installed, we also just put in the new u joint bellows, gimbal bearing and seal, and are now trying to re-install the outdrive. I do not have an official engine alignment tool but have a pipe that is the same size as the drive shaft. The pipe slides in so the engine should be fairly close as far as the alignment goes. I have the boat in drive and the lower unit is also in the foreword gear and i rotate the prop as we attempt to install. Every thing seems to line up its just that we can not seem to get it to go the last inch. Even with a few love taps

1.) Could something have gotten bent because we took it apart *** backwards? Engine coupler?

2.) Could not being in absolute perfect alignment cause this?

3.) The boat is a 1988 it only has 305 hours on it but could the rear mounts have sagged being it is 22 years old?

4.) Were do i go from here short of just taking it to the shop and paying the arm and a leg?

Any tips/advise are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Your engine is out of alignment. You need to use the correct tool and proceedure to align the motor.
your gimble gearing was most likely knocked out of line when you removed the motor without the drive off (that's a big No-No).
You need to either get the alignment tool or have the alignment done for you.

 

[codesta]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Ok, I have one ordered. We have the engine hooked up to a chain hoist and have moved the engine from all the way down to all the way up in small increments and then have tried the install with no success, it should have been close at some point shouldn't it have gone in at some point or are these things that percise?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Alpha one install problems

I highly suggest you go up to the adults only section of this forum and download the service manual for your engine and drive before proceeding any further. For one the engine needs to be resting on the mounts for this to be properly aligned with the ALIGNMENT BAR only!

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Alpha one install problems

back ones need to be tight and use the front mount/s for adjustement there is no quick way so stop before you screw something up ,wait for alignment bar, and do it right or take it some where. Do some reading because you have no idea what you are doing. it is not a fast process. The better job you do the better you will feel on the water.

 

[codesta]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Yes, I am waiting for the tool. I do have the seloc manual for this drive and engine, but it is missing a lot of very good and helpfull info I have found on here, (ie setting the gimbal bearing). The rear mounts are tight, and I understand i need to use the front mounts to align. I know you need to rotate the prop slightly as you install the unit to get the shaft to index with the coupler. However I have read that in order to test your coupler you can turn the prop shaft and I should turn the engine? Is this right? I know that my alignment is off, but when I was trying to install the unit i would feel the splines index and after that point the prop shaft does not turn, should this turn? I do know that the prop turns when you rotate the engine by hand. What can you do to test to make sure the engine coupler is good? I just want to make sure that it didn't get damaged when we removed the engine before removing the outdrive. Thanks for all the replies I really appreciate it!!!

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Alpha one install problems

i think if you try to turn the motor with prop it will be hard and you might run the water ipeller backwards. No way to tell iff coupler is going to go out except pointed splines. Mine would sqeal when i cranked engine here is mine my center spun out but theoutside can break free too.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Junk the Seloc Manual. They leave out way too much information and try cover too many different years/models in one small book.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1693398#post 1693398

The link above takes you to a link that is in the "Adults Only Sticky" that is at the very top of this forum.

Follow that link and you will be able to download PDF versions of the Genuine Mercruiser (factory) service manuals. FREE Download too. Mercruiser posted them some # of years ago, so they are now available for everyone. Same thing the dealer uses...

Download the ones you need and do some reading. Between those manuals and questions posted to this forum, you should be able to get everything sorted out.

 

[codesta]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Ok, Thanks!! Ok so I have the alignment tool, and have gotten the alignment somewhat close, but the marks are deepest on the right or starboard side. It slides in easy at first and then gets tougher as you go deeper. I know the front engine mounts adjust it up and down, but how do i adjust for this? Thanks so much for all the great input!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Turn the engine 1/2 a revolution and see if the heavy marks move to the opposite side.

 

[codesta]

Re: Alpha one install problems

I tried that, at first they moved a little more to the top. Then i rotated it 90 degrees 3 more times and they still remain for the most part on the right side.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Alpha one install problems

You should be able to move the front part of the engine left or right slightly. Use a length of 2" x $' as a lever to shove the engine over. That's why there's a slot on one of the lower mounting holes of the engine mount. The alignment tool should go in smoothly and evenly. Check the splines on the outdrive shaft. They may have gotten a little rough from the treatment they received, If so, clean them up with a file. Put some greas on the slines, but not on the end of the shaft. As was suggested, download and read the mercruiser manual. Seloc makes a good knee rest as you work, nothing more. Good luck. Hy

 

[codesta]

Re: Alpha one install problems

Ok, I will give that a try. I need to loosen the engine mount a little before i do this correct? The splines on the drive shaft a very good, no damage or visible wear.