Engine install and align. what am I doing so wrong??

[Gerkin]

Good Afternoon all.
I will try to keep this short and sweet.
My alignment tool hits just below the coupler no matter what I do.
I absolutely cannot get it to fit in.
Attached pics you'll see where the coupler is shiny on the bottom where it hits.
I think I put it all back together as they came out of the donor boat.
Where the engine bolts to the transom mount, there is a leather type washer with what looks like a lock washer inside. Does that go between the 2 parts like I have it? You can see it in the pics.
(nevermind the grease in the bellows-will clean later)
Thank you anyone and all.

 

[alldodge]

The bearing doesn't look good but that's a different issue maybe

This is how it should go together
The mount either uses a spring washer OR the fiber washer, not both. All depends on what transom assembly is being used

 

[achris]

Early (pre about 2000) engine mounts used both double wound washer AND fibre washer... The fibre washer is only a bump stop, it has no 'spacing' function...

Chris...

 

[Gerkin]

Hmmm
It is an 888 setup out of a 74.
When I pulled apart the 2 washers were together. I see that drawing (thank you) and that is how it is now.
Once put together, how can the engine be about 1/8" higher?

 

[alldodge]

The 888 is small block Ford, 898 is small block Chevy

Yes, mis-spoke about fiber washer. Does the washer go around the mount or on top of it?

 

[Gerkin]

Yeah its a 302.

The washer just sits on top. Im assuming the washer is pliable to let the front of the engine move up and down. I tried to install without the washer just to see what happens and there is no up and down.
Really at a loss here

 

[Bt Doctur]

You install there mount per alldodge, glue the fibre washer in place, place doublewound washer inside fibre washer
The mount is held ridged, there in no movement of any kind . The only movement is in the isolation rubber

 

[Gerkin]

That's exactly what I have going (besides gluing the washer). I don't understand why it wont fit.
I'll go try again. Unfortunately my shop is like 45 mins from me. Hope it goes OK

 

[alldodge]

You have tried moving the bar to get in?
Are the motor mounts adjusted all the way down?

 

[Gerkin]

If you're talking about the front mounts, Ive tried them up, down, and all over the place. Even taken off and used my lift to raise up and down.

 

[Gerkin]

The bar has very little movement once in the gimbal

 

[alldodge]

Is the bar made to spec?

 

[Gerkin]

Yes it is. It fits in when the engine is out of the boat

 

[alldodge]

The only thing left is the transom mounts, but normally they sink (bar would touch at the top). May need to replace them

 

[metsfan3197843]

Is your gimbal bearing froze up and not allowing it to pivot?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Was the drive difficult to remove? If yes the rear mounts may be collapsed

 

[Bondo]

Yes it is. It fits in when the engine is out of the boat

Ayuh,...... The gimbel bearing is gimbeled, did you try to move just the inner bearing to get the bar headed for the hole in the coupler,..??

 

[Gerkin]

Bondo, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that.
This is my first time doing this job and maybe should be handed off. I just like doing things myself and learning.
The prob with that, is all mechanics in the Tahoe area are booked til next summer. Not taking any more customers.

What I did today. I pulled the engine again, removed the fiber washer. Reinstalled motor and of course, it was now too low and the alignment tool hit the top.
Pulled the motor again and installed just the fiber washer with no coil washer inserted and then reinstalled. The alignment tool went in about 1/4 - 1/2 and inch but was not happy after that.

 

[Bt Doctur]

The fibre washer has noting to do with alignment. The double wound washer needs to be in there.The fibre washer acts as a buffer when the rear mounts fail. It prevents the upper and lower housing from touching Failure to do the alignment correctly will cost you a new coupler

 

[alldodge]

As BT said, your rear mounts have collapsed. Remove the motor and replace the mounts

Not finding the part number on the 888 transom plate or much of any other. Did find 865330A02 which is listed as used on many motors but 888 is not listed