Engine alignment

[A1957]

I just replaced the engine drive coupler and am realigning the engine. It’s a 1988 Cobra outdrive and a 5.7 engine.The alignment tool hits the end of the coupler splines a little but I can push it through.
Once it is through the splines I can turn it with two fingers. Very little drag.
I think it’s aligned but am concerned about the slight push I need to give the tool to get it into the spines. Is the fact that I can rotate the shaft with two fingers good enough!
Thanks.

 

[kenny nunez]

If you pull the shaft out without rotating it look at the pattern the splines left on the grease. This way you can check which way vertically the front of the engine has to go. You are probably real close. If you decide to do more adjusting, use your engine hoist attached to the front of the engine with the adjusting nuts loose. A bottle jack under the engine will also work.
If the splines in the coupler were stripped clean you may have a flexing transom. Which means you have some transom fiberglass work to do.

 

[cyclops222]

Without real FACTORY FIT tolerances ? I would be happy with that. Grease as specified in called out places. I lubricate all male and female grooves VERY carefully. With a stiff paint brush. Pushing grease into all the bottoms of the grooves.
I do remove the excess amounts.

 

[A1957]

The transom is good with zero signs of any rot or even water penetration. We bought this boat new in 1989 and it’s been kept on a lift in a boat house since and the bilge is so dry it’s actually dusty. It always has been.

I had installed a new gimbal bearing last year so I’m 99.9% sure it’s still good. I don’t remember how easy the shaft was to turn at that time but I do remember the drive coming off and going on very easily.

The coupler needed to be replaced because the old coupler tore when the old outdrive seized up. The splines looked fine, unlike the rubber center which was a molten burned up mess. I’ll be trying to get it off my skin for the next few days and I’ll have to throw the shirt I was wearing away.

When I first put the alignment bar in with the new coupler it took about the same amount of pressure to get it in to the splines but it took a lot of effort to turn it. I adjusted the front mounts up one full nut rotation (4x1/4 turns) and now I can rotate the bar with two fingers.

Thanks for the advise. I’m going to grease it up better and put the drive on.

 

[alldodge]

My opinion, if it can be pushed all in, and also pulled back out with 2 fingers each way, your good

 

[A1957]

It takes slightly more than 2 fingers to get it started in the spline section. But once it’s in I can pull it out-push it in with two fingers.