?? Engine leveling bolts

[surplusman]

First, great site. I have yet to post, cause I usually find the answer by searching. I have learned a lot by sifting thru this site. I bought my first boat last year and am doing all the maintenance, fixes, add-ons etc, since its wintertime here in Pa. I have an 18' 88 Sunbird Corsair 4.3L w/Cobra OD. Before you beat me up on the Cobra selection, I got the boat and trailer for a mere $500. I got twice that into it now and expect that there will be more to come. But thats the thing about me and a new hobby/project. Anybody can go out and buy a solid running car/boat, but where is the fun in that?? No customizing, cursing, spending money, cursing, spending more money, cursing, now explaining to wife why the need to spend more money......cursing more. LOL I have transformed a perfectly good ski boat int a fishing boat that can be used for skiing. Anyhow,<br /><br />I was reading today and someone made mention of the engine leveling bolts and how they relate to the lineup of the engine and sterndrive. This puzzled me a bit, and have not found the answer yet. <br /><br />My questions are these.....<br /><br />What exactly is the relationship of the leveling bolts to the outdrive? What parts are affected? (gimble bearing possibly) I have not noticed a problem yet, how would it be possible to determine if I have one, or is about to be a problem?<br /><br />I have been over probably 85% of this boat in the last 6 months in one fashion or another, either fixing, replacing, inspecting you get the idea. But this would be something I have not addressed yet, thats why so many questions.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Assuming you're talking about the adjustment on the front motor mounts, they are used to align the engine coupler to the gimbal bearing in the transom shield.<br />If the engine is out of alignment, it will destroy the coupler very quickly. Thus the need to check the alignment at least yearly, or any time the drive is removed from the boat.<br /><br />

<br /><br />PS: The picture is from a Mercruiser manual, but the concept is the same for Merc and OMC, and the newer SX style Volvo's.

 

[surplusman]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Yes, thats what I was talking about. By looking at your pic, would it be safe to assume then that the only way to properly check, is by using the alignment tool?? Since I do not have an alignment tool right now, is there any other indicators to look for?<br /><br />thanks Don

 

[Don S]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Nope, the alignment bar is the only way to check it. You can look at the coupler, and if you see the splines all come to a sharp point, you can bet it's out of alignment and the coupler is about to go.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Fantastic diagram of the engine alignment issue.<br /><br />I am going to wallpaper the parts room wall with it!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

a spare input shaft will do the same thing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Alignment bars are down to Under $50.00 on ebay lately.......

 

[Don S]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

While a spare input shaft can work, it is a real PITA to use, and real hard to find out which way the alignment is out. You also need to weld a bar to is as a handle, so you can use it inside the bellows.<br /><br />Been there, done that............

 

[rodbolt]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

the proper tool is a lot easier to use that I will admit. but yes I to have used a spare shaft. it sucks and takes twice as long.

 

[surplusman]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Does anyone know the specs on that tool? length, diameter, length of stepdowns, etc. I have a trusted machine shop next to me and will turn one on the lathe for me for about the cost of the shipping on those e-bay auctions.

 

[rattana]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Rodbolt posted this about awhile back. I made one and it works very well indeed.<br /><br />"Start with a piece of solid stock 1.375 diameter. turn it back 2.145" at a diameter of 1.008" the next OD will turn back another 2.765" at 1.153" the overall length of the tool is aproximatly 26". you may wish to add a 1/4 in lengthh to the first linear diminsion. the newer v8 couplers have grease fittings that hit the first shoulder. the first OD fits the shaft coupler and the second fits the gimbal bearing.<br />good luck."

 

[Bondo]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Try This...........................

 

[surplusman]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Thanks a bunch!! One last question. What is the proper use of the tool? Is the tool going to be tight enough for zero diflection when properly aligned? Is deflection what I am looking for? Will it bind if out of alignment?<br /><br /><br />EDIT....Thanks Bondo, I found that diagram just as you posted your reply, but the specs are different from those that were just posted, can either one be used?...you have all been a great help.

 

[rattana]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

The specs are very close, within 2-3 thousands of an inch, either will work. I suspect the measurements I posted were taken with a micrometer. If you want to have a piece of mind, use Bondos link.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

What is the proper use of the tool?

Go over Here, about 1/2 the way down the page......

 

[Don S]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

What is the proper use of the tool? Is the tool going to be tight enough for zero diflection when properly aligned? Is deflection what I am looking for? Will it bind if out of alignment?

All you have to do, is raise or lower the front of the engine till the alignment bar slides easily into the coupler. Try to keep the weight about equal on the front mounts so the engine doesn't try to rock on opposite corners. If the engine is too high or too low, the alignment bar will bind and not go all the way in the coupling. Spread a layer of grease on the bar (the part that goes in the coupler) so you will get an indication of where the splines are hitting. The pattern in the grease should be equal all the way around.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

rattana. yep I took them with a micrometer. it willwork either way. the only thing that changed with the first merc toolis the shoulder os moved aft to clear the new style coupler grease fittings.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

If you have the time to spare:<br />get another shaft, remove the u joint area and turn down the area that goes into the gimbal bearing by about an 1/8 th inch.this allows a visual indication on witch way to shift the motor and use a 1/8 th inch welding rod to measure, use an actual shaft for final check.

 

[rattana]

Re: ?? Engine leveling bolts

Rodbolt, I used your specs and had no problems. The price was right