Lateral gimbal misalignment problem

[squid1230]

https://goo.gl/photos/bbuVE5vXtsxKKRce8

Having trouble using the gimbal alignment tool on a merc 170 with alpha drive. As you can see in the linked picture I stuck a 1" tube in to visualize the required adjustments. The misalignment is lateral which I don't have means of adjusting. Has anyone seen this problem before? Hints, tips?

 

[alldodge]

Don't know which way is up, but if its straight up in this pic, and this is looking at the transom, then the motor needs to go down and starboard side a bit lower then port.

And the bearing has been damaged

 

[Bt Doctur]

Well, you need another gimbal bearing to start with.

 

[squid1230]

Yes Bt Doctur - I'm aware of the bearing. My concern, and hence question, was in regards to the lateral alignment.

Alldodge - yes - the 12 oclock positon is up. The rear of the engine seems to mount to the inner part of the gimbal housing so I see no means of tilting the engine there, and the front has a mount that looks like a giant 'C' clamp for lack of a better description, and is bolted to the stringer via two lag bolts. Maybe if I put a couple of washers on the port side mounts front and back?

Bearing will be replaced as a matter of rote - I bought this boat used and am changing the bearing, water impeller and a few other things to start a new maintenance timeline.

 

[Bt Doctur]

slightly loosen the rear bolts, remove the front bolts/lags. Move engine into correct alignment, redrill new holes for lags/bolts

 

[alldodge]

Don't put any washers under the rear mounts, if they are off they need to be replaced.

If all is good, first make sure the boat is flat and level, then raise the front of the motor from the thermostat housing area. Just raise enough so both front mounts are loose. Now bring up the bottom nut until they just touch on both sides of the bottom of the motor mounts. Now set the motor down on its mounts and then adjust equally up or down from both sides.

 

[stonyloam]

Don't put any washers under the rear mounts, if they are off they need to be replaced.

If all is good, first make sure the boat is flat and level, then raise the front of the motor from the thermostat housing area. Just raise enough so both front mounts are loose. Now bring up the bottom nut until they just touch on both sides of the bottom of the motor mounts. Now set the motor down on its mounts and then adjust equally up or down from both sides.

If it is a MCM 470, then there is only a single mounting point in front. Put the new bearing in, THEN see what it looks like. There is no side-to-side adjustment. You could replace the mounting washer on the rear mount, but if it is properly bolted to the transom plate it should be aligned laterally.

 

[squid1230]

Wonderful information - thank you gentlemen.