Inboard strut to coupler alignment

[hondon]

I have replaced a few struts over the years but have never realy been given any formula or criteria for the alignment process.If it all go'es together nice ,ship it.Is that all there is?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Inboard strut to coupler alignment

When aligning the shaft slide the two couplers together and use a feeler guage to ck the alignment betwwen the flange surfaces not more than .005, if it's off more than that you need to move the engine, this should only be done after the boat has been the water a couple of days, as the hull will flex on a trailer and can't be aligned properly----Bob

 

[hondon]

Re: Inboard strut to coupler alignment

I understand all that ,but sometimes you get a strut that is bent ,burnt,wallowed,whatever,and for whatever reason you cannot get a direct replacment for that strut.The closest you can get means drilling new holes in the hull and shimming the new strut into the alignment .There must be a better way.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Inboard strut to coupler alignment

thats about the only way I have found. a friend of mine made a fitting that threads onto the log and holds a laser pointer. we then try to set a target on the back of the srtut and adjust it till the pointer hits the target. will get it pretty close. he also uses it to check for bent struts. most shaft logs are tolerant of some misalignment as long as the engine coupler can be moved to allow a less than .005" face alignment. but we have found with some 20-40 year old boats its a beast sometimes. sends ya rigging and digging to figgue out how to repair them.