Hello, Coupler ?

[starsnstripers]

early model GM engine coupler L6 merc 70ish I was looking at my coupler and the center does not look "true" like if you put a straight edge across the top the center is not square or even. does that rubber move or is this coupler junk? thanks

 

[MikDee]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Hey, S&S, Don't take chances, replace it with a new one! I had the coupling start slipping after I rebuilt my L6, years ago,,, I was not that familiar with I/O's way back then, so I didn't realize I should change it while I had the motor out, even though mine looked in good shape! but, then again I may not have taken the trouble to line up the drive that well before putting it all together, that could also be a contributing factor,,, after all, the great info from this forum that could have helped me, wasn't available 20yrs ago!

 

[Don S]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Post a pic of the coupler looking at the splines and the rubber part. If the rubber moves, the coupler is junk.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Ok ill take a pic. it looks like the whole rubber insert is tilted

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

if you look close you can see the rubber is higher on one side and lower on the other

 

[Don S]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Take the picture looking right down the splines.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

The splines are off as well, I can look through and by eye tell that their off. Does this mean the rubber has slipped? Thats the only pic i have right now don. The kids took the usb cable for my camera and their sleeping. Teens i'll tell ya! I'l get one tomorrow though.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

I'll tell you, it's tough to look at a picture like what you have and determine if it's good or bad. I blew it up and there is a dark line on the right side of the spline sleeve. Rather it's bad or not, who knows.
The only way to REALLY tell is to put it in the boat and use the alignment bar. Then check the alignment every 90? it should always be the same.
If not, replace the coupler.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

I understand Don a picture is tough. I can tell you by looking at it it's not going to be lined up. it's like the whole rubber and spline tipped inside of the outher shell. are they glued or what keeps them true? Or are they just pressed and it might have got tilted?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

If you look at the pic and think of it as a clock, put a straight edge at 11 and 7 o clock it wont touch the rubber. If you put the straight edge at 1 and 5 o clock it would rock on the rubber. it potrudes out on one side and is sunk in on the other side.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Replace it.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Why take chances? If you put it in and it doesn't work, you'll have to pull the motor again just to change it. Obviously, you have serious doubts, so change it. That way you know it's going to be right. Just make sure you align the engine after you reinstall it and before you put the outdrive back on. Good luck. Hy

No man is an island unto himself.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

I just bought this one for a spare. My question is has anyone ever cut one apart? Is the rubber splined to the outside casing ? Glued? or just pressed? It may tilt side to side and be ok. I know they are bad if they spin/strip. Can it be tweeked back into position and be ok?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Whats the Anatomy of a coupler? anyone? Dont make me cut one apart to find out! haha

 

[Don S]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

They are not repairable by anyone.
Sorry, but you bought junk.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

I see, well i guess i get my money back then. OR! Do some surgery and see how their made? I can understand it slipping around "twist" stripped. But tilting? if the shaft goes through and it's lined up, It's not going to tilt on the shaft. hmm? if it's glued maybe it's going to spin out. If it's splined i doubt if it will strip twist or spin out. Hmmm? I wont use it not knowing, But i will find out. Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it. The one the boat came with looks ok but i wanted a spare or a better one to install and have a spare.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

That Coupler is Toast! Get a new one, mine looked like new compared to that, it even had a slight gold covered coating still on it I think they call it (factory iridited) to keep it from rusting.

These are made like the rubber hub of a prop, once they start to slip, they only continue to get worse!

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

OK OK! I wont use it. It was going to be a spare,WAS! Has anyone seen a coupling fail? what happens? Does the slined center spin OR does the slined center and rubber spin in the outer housing?

 

[MikDee]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

OK OK! I wont use it. It was going to be a spare,WAS! Has anyone seen a coupling fail? what happens? Does the slined center spin OR does the slined center and rubber spin in the outer housing?

No not really, I didn't want to take the engine out again!
Does it really even matter???

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Hello, Coupler ?

Yes, It matters to me. I like to know what makes things tick. Thanks though, I'm not disagreeing with ya Mik. I do agree to put a good coupling in while it's apart. But now that i have this coupler, I have the need to know what lets go on them and how their constructed. If we don't know if the rubber is or isn't glued in place to the outside housing then we dont know if it has come loose. If we dont know if the rubber is nurrled or splined to the outside housing, then we dont know if it can be tipped out of place with the shaft out of it. If thats the case it is possible to tip it back in place and possible that it's alright. I can't determine that without knowing how it's made, and that it couldn't be used as a spare. I can take your word and Dons word we know he should know and i believe him. But, I still would like to know how they're constructed and how they fail. If the center strips in the rubber when they fail, then the center on this one is ok its true to the rubber. In this case it's the rubber that has tilted in the outer housing. If the rubber doesnt strip in the outer housing when they fail then it must be secured to the outer housing in a strong way. If it's bonded then yeah it has come free. If it's splined or knurled then it has just tipped and could be tipped back in place.