Re: how to adjust engine mount
If you took the bolts out that hold the engine mounts to the deck of your boat and haven't touched the 2 large adjusting nuts it should be close. You should disassemble the motor mounts to make sure that the threads are clean and that the adjusting nuts are not rusted and can move nice and easy. This makes this job a heck of allot easier. Take measurements of where the nuts are now by measuring the distance between bottom nut and the base of the mount. Remove the top nut, lock washer, mount, metal tab and make sure that the bottom nut can spin nice a free. Use penetrating oil to assist if necessary. Replace the bottom nut to the previous measurements and make a mark on the nut face using marker or a scribe. Use a pair of pliers to bend the metal tab flat or I use a rubber mallet and hammer it flat on a piece of wood. Assemble the rest in reverse order, but do not tighten the top nut. Leave about 1/2 gap at the top to allow for adjustment. After you have the motor dropped in, use your alignment bar and make adjustments accordingly. Make sure that you make the same adjustments to both sides of your engine by using the marks on the nut face to count the number of turn required. After you have the alignment set, tighten the top nut and check your alignment again. Sometimes tightening the top nut will throw the alignment off just a little, but it must be corrected. When the top nut is torqued down and your alignment is perfect. Bend the metal tab back down on the nut.
Sometimes it can be a hassle, but taking the time to do this job right the first time out will ensure that you are having fun out on the water and not replacing your Gimbal bearing, coupler and U-joints in the near future. Good luck...
