Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

[halcrimm]

Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha I/O.
S/N OD714746 Engine
S/N OD671270 Transom
S/N OD665768 Drive

Hey guys, well here I am again after a winter of not working on the FIRST boat.
Over the weekend I replaced all the bellows, water hose and gimbal bearing. Was not as difficult as I thought it would be.
Now I am frustrated. With what I thought was the hard work done I am trying to put the outdrive back on.
AND IT WON'T GO BACK ON. Okay, done screaming.

Help.

I have the drive in forward gear. The roller is engaged in the slot on the plastic piece at the end of the throttle cable. My ignorance for not knowing what that piece is called. Anyway, I can slide the spline through the bearing and line up the u-joints to where the whole thing slides in but I cannot get it to go in the last inch or so. I saw a video that says that it is probably just having trouble getting over the two o-rings at the end of the spline.

What information can I provide to you to help me with this problem. Really looking forward to all the help.
Thanks
Hal

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

last inch is always the toughest, it seems. One thing easy to check.... do NOT grease those two O-rings at the gimbal bearing. Just a little oil and that's it (DO grease the splines, though). Then get 'er up to that last inch, check everything lined up proper again, and give'er a good push for the last bit. Good luck...It'll go.

 

[halcrimm]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

I will give it another go tomorrow. Raining now. Also, when trying to line up the two tabs to slid into one another, if the tab on the out drive is pointed forward I can not rotate prop shaft in counterclockwise direction when trying to install drive. If I have the outdrive on the stand, I can spin the prop shaft and make the spline turn. Could this just be that the u-joints are sitting don because the spline is not all the way in causing the spline not to turn?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

Once you install the new impeller and lubricate it you lock the drive in fwd, you dont turn the shaft that much. If you do you can reverse the impeller vanes and it wont pump water.
You raise the lower into position ,then slightly turn the prop backwards (CCW) less than an inch to line the splines up

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

I will give it another go tomorrow. Raining now. Also, when trying to line up the two tabs to slid into one another, if the tab on the out drive is pointed forward I can not rotate prop shaft in counterclockwise direction when trying to install drive. If I have the outdrive on the stand, I can spin the prop shaft and make the spline turn. Could this just be that the u-joints are sitting don because the spline is not all the way in causing the spline not to turn?

Trying to visualize what you are saying....but....if you are as far in as you say (with just an inch left to go), then your spline is engaged and that is why you cant turn your prop CCW any further. Typically only have to turn the prop (with the shift locked in fwd) just a wee bit if at all to line up the splines for engagement. Sounds like you are already there.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

Have a look at Achris' video below:

 

[halcrimm]

Re: Cannot Re-Instal lAlpha 1 Gen 2

Well, the rain stopped and I had the opportunity to give it another try (with improved patience). Anyway, the outdrive is now successfully installed. I had already watched the video that Eric sent but watched it again. I missed the words of wisdom the firs time. In the video he states that if the drive is hesitate at going on he uses his calibrated size 9 mercruiser tool. Luckily, I had a Calibrated size 13 mercruiser tool. One whack and it was on. One last question before I think I am out of this thread. Should there have been an oil hose between the gimbal housing and outdrive. I did not remove one and I did not get one in my bellows kit (3 bellows, gimbal bearing, water hose, gasket and o-rings.) I saw this mentioned on another post trying to figure out why I could not get the outdrive on,