outdrive/engine allignment

[murphy1]

Hello, I am new to the I/O scene and have an alpha 1 that I just installed. Over the winter I pulled the engine to do some work. Now I'm reinstalling everything. How necessary is the engine allignment? Everything went together fine, but I know for sure that I had to move the mount adj. bolts and they aren't in their original location. I figure the shaft has a U joint in it to compensate for the misalignment (and turning), so why does it matter? What can be damaged? I fired the engine up and put it in gear, no crazy vibrations or squeal of tortured bearings.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

120% necessary. You will break coupling parts (coupler, gimble bearing, stripped shaft) if you don't. I got my tool on ebay for $45. The alignment concerns the coupler to gimble bearing alignment and the u-joints have no part in this. You will definitely break something, especially since you moved the mount adjustment.

 

[murphy1]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

Thanks for the info. Are you putting the tool up on ebay anytime soon?

 

[xltier]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

the local machine shop made me one for 40.00.they said it was simple.i brought them the coupler and a gimbal bearing.hth

 

[murphy1]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

Just a thought, but instead of paying $100 for an alignment tool, couldn't I just take out the bearings in the U joint on the outdrive and just use the shaft itself as an alignment tool? My U joint bearings probably need replacing anyway?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

murphy, Here is an article on engine alignment;<br /> http://www.marinemechanic.com/site/page79.html <br />hope it helps

 

[sroger007]

Re: outdrive/engine allignment

Yes the splined shaft could be used as the alignment "tool" but a little hard to handle as it is much shorter. Take the two o-rings off as well(just makes taking it in or out easier). Once pushed in position the shaft can be pretty tight. Make sure you can get it out once you get it in. You may have to fashion something to attach to the 'U' joint end so you can pull the spline out. It will be pretty deep in the gimble housing and there isn't much hand room to grab it.