Re: Gearcase alignment
If you're speaking of a tool that would check the actual gearcase to see if it was out of line due to being hit etc, I have heard of no such tool myself.<br /><br />If the gearcase were out of line to a degree that it would affect the angle of the driveshaft (a one piece driveshaft).... the driveshaft would be fairly hard to turn once the gearcase was assembled (a dead give away of a damaged gearcase.<br /><br />However, there has always been an alignment tool that would check the exhaust housing (hsg between the powerhead and the lower unit) consisting of a weighted base, a rod extending upwards, up and above the hsg with a semi point end extending downward at the top surface of the housing. I don't recall if a gauge was incorporated or not.<br /><br />Unfortunately to perform this check, the housing had to be completely removed from the engine and seated on a perfectly flat surface. The tool was then moved around the housing, checking the alignment. If memory serves me correctly, the allowance of difference was only 10%. Anything over that, when using a one piece driveshaft, would result in spline damage and could invite a sheared driveshaft.<br /><br />Frankly..... the above was so much work that the majority of technicians avoid that area unless the engine was completely dismantled to begin with. The usual method to check that housing for misalignment was simply to press the lower unit up against the exhaust housing or to bolt the lower unit up to the exhaust housing very slightly, just to the point whereas the lower unit touched the exhaust housing. If the lower unit met evenly all the way around without forcing it, you could be fairly sure the housing is okay. Not a 1st class factory check but it worked for many of us.
