just got new engine now I have questions

[sgwill122]

I ordered a Indmar 5.7 MPI from Michigan Motorz for an Alpha Drive. I was excited to drop it in tonight but quickly hit disappointment when I saw it lacked the rear motor mounts that bolt down to the drive housing. It also lacked a shift plate and a hose barb on the back of the engine to connect to the raw water coming from the outdrive. So my question is did I get sent the wrong motor or was I supposed to have pulled off the rear mounting housing from my previous engine(which I sold just before picking this one up:facepalm or should the engine have come with it. I will call Michigan Motorz in the morning but right now I am a bit peeved. I spent a long time talking to the staff there making sure the Alpha drive would work. Anybody know?

 

[Don S]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

If you look at the pictures of the Indmar engines on the Michigan Motorz site, you will see they don't include the flywheel cover.

NEVER get rid of your old stuff until you have the new one installed. There is always some small stuff that doesn't change over. Especially when buying an aftermarket engine, you just never know.

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

dangit, thanks for the response. And I thought I was lucky cause the guy buying the engine was on the way to pick up the new one. Hope it is not too spendy of a lesson.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Yup, what Don said . . .

Since the base engines are sold to a variety of I/O manufacturers (Mercruiser, Volvo-Penta, etc) many of the external parts need to go to the 'new' engine. It is sort of implicit knowledge among the industry that you gain by seeing the different offerings. Maybe not enough questions asked or research done during the buying process?

I think your lesson is going to be spendy.

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Lesson was learned, cost me $75 for a used one. I am certainly not in the industry but do enjoy working on my own boat. Not my first or last mistake that cost will me.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Actually, I think you got off pretty light, if that is all you have to buy.

Post some pics of the re-install when you can.

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

New challenge I am unable to get the engine aligned. I have tightened the rear mounting bolts and lowered the front adjusting nuts as far as they will go and the alignment bar can go all the way in with a bit of force(not good) and the heavy grease grooves are on the top of the bar meaning I need to lower the engine but I cannot tighten the nuts any lower. So couple questions, can I put a thick washer ontop of the nylon rear washers to raise the rear of the engine? Is it possible my used fly wheel/rear engine mount is the wrong height somehow? Or are my engine adjusters too high in the front and I need to find alternates. You can see a picture of the front engine mounts at the Michiganmotorz.

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/indma...1987later-mercruiser-applications-p-3253.html

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Nylon rear washers?

 

[Don S]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Do you have the proper mounting hardware under and over the mounts? Were the mounts any good in your used flywheel housing? Were the mounts the new style or old style mounts. (Hardware under mounts changes between old and new)

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

rear nylon washers are in place as well as the lock washers. I have the spacer and large washer in place(in that order) on the rear mounts. The rear mounts and housing look fine. I do not know the difference between new style and old style.

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

My front engine supports sit on angle aluminum supports that bolt to the stringers. I am going to loosen the stringer bolts and see if I can get any sag, if nothing gives I think I am going to pull the angle aluminum brackets off the stringers and add a 1/2inch to the height of the bolt holes which will drop the engine a half inch. Any thoughts?

 

[sgwill122]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Found the starboard side engine mount had a half inch it was not dropping because the engine was hanging up on the lip of the foot. I was able to pull it away from the engine just a bit then the engine dropped all the way it could. The alignment bar goes in easier, can push it in with two fingers if I push with a bit of force, easy for a one hand insertion and removal. But grease marks are still more pronounced on top. I replaced my gimbal bearing since the old one was the original and I had a new one from the bellows kit I did last year. The bearing refused to come out with a 5lb slide hammer so I drilled it out. Unfortunately I went about a quarter inch into the aluminum brace behind the bearing. I can see there is open space behind the brace but cannot tell where it goes. I put a syringe full of water into the hole to see if it came out the outside of the drive housing but did not see any. It sounded like it went inside bilge area. Big question am I screwed or is this air space inside the boat? Second question can I live with the sub-perfect alignment or do I need to pull my engine brackes and grind them down for better alignment? Thanks for the help.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

No more power tools for you . . .

two fingers on the alignment tool is fine. I would not have messed with the gimbal bearing, but you may be OK. How about some JB Weld?

 

[90stingray]

Re: just got new engine now I have questions

Is your seal on the back side (closest to the picture taker) of the gimbal bearing? Its hard to tell from the pic... It gets installed first, then the bearing. But if its right, then disregard.