Engine alignment question

[el_coqui]

I have a 1990 Bayliner with a 5.0 swaped out for a 5.7 Mercruiser. I'm trying to align the engine and can't find any specific procedures except "align the engine."
I have gone up on the motor mounts 4 turns and down 2 turns, 1/2 a turn at a time, and it still seems the top of the tool touches the coupler and pushes the tool down. The splines are only marking the top of the tool.

-Do I need to go more turns up or down, or maybe in smaller increments than
a 1/2 turn at a time?
-I'm not sure if I have to move the front of the engine up or down.
Thanks for your help in advance

 

[Kainon]

Re: Engine alignment question

Definately sounds a little low, Did you install the going up and down on the bolts at the back wont help especially if you forgot to put the springs and fiber washer in. Also you can move around the alignment tool.. up and down, left and right..

I found it helpful to have a buddy that can take a little constructive chatter.. as it can be frustrating..

Please see link for refernce, parts 10-14 on the right side.

I dont tighten the bolts, unless I'm fitting the engine alignment, I dont tighten them after installing the drive either, they have a NYLON Locking nut on the bottom. the engine sits on the springs.

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscat...40,190,180,140,160,150,170,240,220,200,10,210

 

[el_coqui]

Re: Engine alignment question

Kainon,
I have the back bolts tighten down and the spring and fiber washer are installed correctly. So I should leave these two bolts at the transom loose, period.

Now do I go up on the motor mounts or down? And is a 1/2 a turn at a time good enough or should I do one turn at a time?

Thanks

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Engine alignment question

transom bolts should be tight.tool should slide in with little pressure
so keep at it move by half turns to get close the baby it in then tighten and recheck and readjust if needed.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engine alignment question

If the marks are deeper on the top you need to lower the front of the engine.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Engine alignment question

Inspect the splines on the shaft for visible wear, generally if the splines
are worn then the coupler is also worn. If wear is evident replace the parts
as needed.


NEVER Force the alignment tool in, you can damage the tool and the coupler.

NOTE: If you find the tool will not slide into the gimbal simply remove the
black coating on the largest step with fine sand paper.


1) Once you have the engine height close enough to
fully insert the tool without force, then you can start
working on setting the proper alignment.

Take your time, getting it close enough to insert the
tool the first time can sometimes be the hardest (most
frustrating) part.

2) Coat the end section of the tool (the smallest diameter
area) with a light coat of grease and then insert it fully
into the coupler.

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low.

4) Adjust the engine height accordingly.

5) Keep checking the depth of the marks in the grease until
they are equal in depth on top and bottom.

Sometimes as little as 1/8th of a turn on the adjusting nut can be the
difference between being properly aligned, and just having it "close"

Lightly Grease the splines on the shaft (and on the coupler if you can) with
Spline grease prior to assembly.

 

[el_coqui]

Re: Engine alignment question

bruceb58,
The only way I felt any difference in the tool insertion was when I had the rear bolts loose and did the ajustments. I went down 2 1/2 turns, in 1/2 turn increments and it go tighter. I went up 4 1/2 turn, in 1/2 turn increments and the tool went in easier but never smooth. The spline markings didn't seem to change. I'll try to do 1/4 turn incriments and see what happens.
Thanks