Drive install.... how tight is too tight?

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Drive install.... how tight is too tight?

I'm at the exact same place. I'm perfectly aligned and my bar won't go past 1 inch or so. The drive won't slide in either.

I'm pulling the engine.

I'm to the point where I'm questioning the new coupler I bought. I never thought to try it on the splines of my drive before putting the engine back in.

I'm going to put the old coupler back on.

I got it true as I could and then took it in for a second opinion. After a few more minor adjustments my drive slid on super easy with the exception of the last 1/4" or less. Tightened er' in and called it a day.

Let me know how yours goes. Im seirously hung up on this and am curious as to what you find.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Drive install.... how tight is too tight?

For what it's worth.....

I had to buy a new drive for my boat this spring (thanks SEI). I tried checking my alignment before I installed the new drive, only to have similar problems mentioned in this thread. So here's what I did: I machined another alignment bar (I'm a machinist, so it was easy, but any good machine shop could whip one out in 20 minutes for cheap), the same diameter as the inside diameter of the coupler, all the way out. So, it has no steps, only one diameter all the way out. With that bar, I can stick it in the coupler and check the gap all the way around at the gimbal bearing to see how far out the adjustment is. Mine was so far out, I could see the uneven gap around the bearing, which was a good way to spot which direction to go. Once I got it close with a visual, my standard bar would then at least go all the way, even if a little tight, to get the final adjustment.

 

[extreme76]

Re: Drive install.... how tight is too tight?

One tip I picked up from here that helped me was to not overgrease the alignment bar. You are better of with a "slight film" of grease. You should grease it VERY lightly. Excessive grease will not only make it push in harder but it is much more difficult to read. I too thought I had equal marks all the way around, but when I went to a slight film I could see more on the bottom then the top. It went pretty quickly from there.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Drive install.... how tight is too tight?

I have a new shaft turned 1/8 inch undersize of the gimbal bearing I.D and have the yoke machined away. Allows me to use it with a 1/8 inch welding rod to get the rough sizing almost spot on and then use the real bar .