Engine coupler upgrade woes......

mylesm260

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
444
Bought a boat that needed a new motor.

Marineized a 4.3 vortec.

Reused the old engine coupler.

Boat ran great for 10 hours or so.

Engine coupler failed.

The old engine coupler was the round small style that works with the 12" flywheel. I was using it on the vortec's 14" flywheel. I blame the coupler failure on the fact that I never aligned the engine when I installed it. So I ordered a new coupler, however, I ordered the newer triangluar style (As well as a new yoke shaft) I did this because I was told that it's more reliable, with beefier splines. Also, the newer style has the grease nipple which is a total bonus maintenence wise.

The new coupler installed perfectly onto the votec flywheel, however....

My bellhousing won't go on the back of the motor without touching the new coupler. There is about 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch gap where the bellhousing would normally contact the back of the motor. What do I do at this point? Do I need a new bellhousing? Is it posible to use washers and space my bellhousing back 1/4 of an inch? would this cause spline damage? Do different couplers require different bellhousing?


Thanks

Myles.
 

whywhyzed

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Feb 1, 2005
Messages
1,871
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

I would look for a proper coupler (old type last 25 years or more if alignment checked regularly) or investigate grinding the 1/4" or so out of the bellhousing for clearance but dont space the bellhousing back with washers. Those 2 flat surfaces are critical with the dowels and all- you'd never get it or keep it straight and it would put pressure on everything fore and aft... nightmare that would be.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,417
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

Do different couplers require different bellhousing?

Ayuh,..........
It would be Nice if you mentioned exactly What Drive your trying to attach to that motor.........
 

mylesm260

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
444
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

Ha ha, my appologies.

Mid 80's Alpha-1.

I've already bought the new coupler, I certainily don't want to have to return it and get the older style again.
 

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

I've already bought the new coupler, I certainily don't want to have to return it and get the older style again.

And your options are?????????????
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......


You need to go back to the old style coupler & make sure your engine is properly aligned this time........;)
 

mylesm260

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
444
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

Is there no way to make this coupler work with my setup?

There are lots of flywheel bellhousings on ebay for cheap.

The coupler was expensive, and I doubt I will be able to get a refund or exchange on it, as I bought it online.

Why can't I simply use the newer style bellhousing? Do different bellhousings require different transom plates?

Here is an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...20171730456&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123

I asked the seller if the bellhousing came from a triangular coupler and he said it did.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,417
Re: Engine coupler upgrade woes......

Why can't I simply use the newer style bellhousing? Do different bellhousings require different transom plates?

Ayuh..............
 
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