Engine alignment issue

[kramerpage]

I removed mercruiser 3.0L motor and outdrive to have transom welded where it meets the bottom by drain plug.
Re installed motor and cannot get it aligned. I did not move the nuts on the front mount which is down all the way.
If I loosen the rear mount bolts I can almost get it right.
My question is can the rear mount lock washer or springs get worn out and make the rear sit too low?
Picture of front mount adjusted all the way down.
Picture of motor.
Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

did you make sure the doublewound washers were in place

 

[kramerpage]

Yes I did. I used blue masking tape to hold them in place.

 

[kramerpage]

did you make sure the doublewound washers were in place

A mechanic at the marina said the gimbal bearing is stuck. He said to stick the alignment tool in so its in the bearing one inch and smack it down with a dead blow hammer so it can be easily rotated on its axis.

Does this make sense BT?

 

[kramerpage]

Well I have the front mount as low as it will go. I got the gimble bearing moving on axis. The best I could get was spline marks all way around on tool except 3 on the bottom at 6 o'clock. You can't rotate tool with 2 fingers. You can move with one hand. I checked alignment at 12,3 6,and 9 o'clock. No change. All the same.
I hope this is good enough.
???

 

[kenny nunez]

I have had to remove the front mount and have a welding shop cut 1” out of the aluminum lower mount and re weld it to finally get the alignment correct.

 

[kramerpage]

I have had to remove the front mount and have a welding shop cut 1” out of the aluminum lower mount and re weld it to finally get the alignment correct.

I can see that. Its the only move left. Ive had this boat since new in 2000. I dont know what has changed. Of coarse it may have been this way or worse since I bought it. Who knows. Mabe ge a used on from ebay and have my welder do that...Thanks for the reply.

 

[kenny nunez]

Mercruiser may still make a shorter mount that I have seen. When I had my shop I usually had a cut down mount that I would swap in.
There used to be a Galaxy dealer here that would just pound the drive on no matter how bad the alignment was.

 

[Rick Stephens]

What causes the front mount to be too short? My best guess is a rotten transom that allows the transom plate to shift downwards.

 

[kramerpage]

The mount is to high. It is adjusted as low as I can go. Its an aluminum boat. No wood. Mount sits on a SS saddle bracket the spans the two main aluminum stringers.

 

[kramerpage]

 

[kenny nunez]

Nice boat, what brand is it?
You might get by if you remove the top nut on the mount, that worked for me a few times. If it is too low then you can shim under the mount on the cross brace.
Or just go ahead and have the mount cut and re welded.

 

[kramerpage]

Its a Fisher 19ft Sport Avenger. I am going for a sea trial tonight to see how she runs. Been 7 years since she has been in the water. Then I will look into modifying the front black engine mount.