Merc 305 Tilted/Not Level

[smiles16]

I have nearly all the issues ironed out on my new to me '86 Ebbtide ('86 5.0 4bbl and Alpha One), but I am concerned about the engine not being level in the boat. It is currently leaning to the port side. Not extreme, but noticeable. The starboard side, fore mount has been shimmed with wood blocks. The drive alignment is spot on (checked with tool the right way) and the stringers/mounts are solid (confirmed with bore hole and torque).

Main question is: Are there any problems with the engine sitting unlevel (port-starboard)?

 

[Bt Doctur]

When everything is correct the motor should sit relatively level

 

[smiles16]

So what could be wrong? Other than seeing wood shims underneath the starbord side mount, nothing looks or feels out of the ordinary.

 

[Rick Stephens]

If the motor is tilted you should pull the front motor mount bolts, the ones attaching mount to stringers, and lift the motor from its front. Many motors have a leveling lift eye on the front near or on the thermostat housing made just for this purpose. If the motor stays un-level when suspended by a single center point on the front of motor, then likely you have a collapsed rear mount.

I would not be happy with wood shims under a motor mount.

 

[smiles16]

Trust me, it is making me very uneasy. However, she ran great and nothing looked out of the ordinary. But as soon as I can get my buddy's lift, I'm going to give that a shot.

Please define a "collapsed mount"? Are you talking about the rubber bushings or the actual transom assembly?

 

[Bt Doctur]

the rubber bushings

 

[Rick Stephens]

The pressed in rubber bushings are where the problem is most likely. If the motor is visibly canted there is definitely something wrong in rear motor mounts. At least one of them would have to be loose or collapsed for the motor to sit sideways.... I suppose it is possible the transom plate is mounted crooked, but I have never seen that and the external gimbal housing (and outdrive) would also have to be canted. More likely the rear mounts are shot and someone 'adjusted' the front mounts to compensate.

Your first step before doing anything is pull the outdrive and slide an alignment bar in to see if it is off.

Rick

 

[Bt Doctur]

You can see a difference in height in the pics

 

[Bt Doctur]

https://s11.postimg.org/6o4gg9yub/DSCN4095.jpg

https://s1.postimg.org/v6mckgff3/DSCN4094.jpg

 

[Bondo]

When everything is correct the motor should sit relatively level

Ayuh,.... Regardless how the hull is sittin',....
The motor has to be plumb, true, 'n level with the rear motor mounts to align it,.... Right,...???...
Mechanically, Everything is mounted to, 'n aligned with the transom assembly,.....

It's Hulls, that are notoriously untrue, unsquare, unplumb, 'n poorly aligned,.....
Hulls are not really so much cast to "Spec", like mechanical parts became 'bout 100 or so years ago,....

 

[smiles16]

Ayuh,.... Regardless how the hull is sittin',....
The motor has to be plumb, true, 'n level with the rear motor mounts to align it,.... Right,...???...
Mechanically, Everything is mounted to, 'n aligned with the transom assembly,.....

It's Hulls, that are notoriously untrue, unsquare, unplumb, 'n poorly aligned,.....
Hulls are not really so much cast to "Spec", like mechanical parts became 'bout 100 or so years ago,....

So you're saying I shouldn't be using the hull as any reference to the engine's mount angle?

 

[smiles16]

The pressed in rubber bushings are where the problem is most likely. If the motor is visibly canted there is definitely something wrong in rear motor mounts. At least one of them would have to be loose or collapsed for the motor to sit sideways.... I suppose it is possible the transom plate is mounted crooked, but I have never seen that and the external gimbal housing (and outdrive) would also have to be canted. More likely the rear mounts are shot and someone 'adjusted' the front mounts to compensate.

Your first step before doing anything is pull the outdrive and slide an alignment bar in to see if it is off.

Rick

I've ensured the alignment is good. I've had the drive off 3 times (after engine has ran) and checked the alignment every time.

One thing I can't get out of my head, is that the transom assembly might be cocked. I found enough evidence to conclude that this boat has been "restored" in the past.

 

[Rick Stephens]

If a rear mount was collapsed the alignment would suffer. You cannot use the boat as reference, other than to itself. The motor has to be square to the transom plate. After that it is aesthetics.

 

[smiles16]

In that case all is well. Thanks guys, had me paranoid.

 

[Rick Stephens]

replace the wood shims. An appropriate steel or aluminum shim would be a better choice.

 

[smiles16]

I will at the end of the season. All is well for now, so I'm leaving it alone.

 

[Bondo]

Naw,.... Wooden shims are Fine,.... More boats than ya think are wearin' 'em,....

 

[smiles16]

Okay Bondo, Thanks!