omc motor alignment problem

[catfish hunter]

Im having a problem aligning my motor to a new gimbal bearing. Im working on a 1989 OMC 3.0l Cobra. If I put my alignment bar in it hits the top of the of the coupler(I put grease on the alignment bar and can see the mark on the coupler). So I go and lower the front of the motor and I check the alignment again. I did this for about an hour. Now the motor is about all the way down and it looks like the coupler has not moved at all. I also tried turning the motor over to see if that would do anything(no luck). The gimbal bear is in as far as it will go. Right now im all out of ideas. should I try the other way?
Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc motor alignment problem

Ayuh,... Did you start by aligning the actual bearing inside it's gimbel mount,..??
The bearing not only spins, it swivels within it's mount...

If so, it sounds like the motor has dropped for some reason...

 

[Don S]

Re: omc motor alignment problem

The inner portion of the gimbal bearing has to be aligned to the coupler. I do this by sticking the alignment bar in the gimbal bearing till it's almost to the coupler, then moving the bearing till the alignment bar fits into the coupler. Then tap with a mallet side to side and up and down on the alignment bar to help center the bearing. Then you can start aligning the engine. Retap around the bar occasionally to keep things perfectly centered.

Read this thread and watch his video. it will help you understand the final adjustments.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=382029

 

[catfish hunter]

Re: omc motor alignment problem

Just the two guys I was wanting to hear from. Well ill give that a try tomorrow. I didnt know that the bearing could move around. I just pushed in the bearing and thought that was it. I will post up tomorrow on how everything comes out.
Thanks!!

 

[catfish hunter]

Re: omc motor alignment problem

Well.... All I have to say is Don is the man. I moved the gimbal bearing a little, readjusted the motor and the bar went right in.
Thanks don and Bond-o!