Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

[rybad]

I have an 89 Four Winns 285 Vista. I just had the stringers and transom rebuild. They shop reinstalled the starboard engine, but I had already pulled the port side before I took it in for the repair.

They did not install the engine mounts for the port engine, and said I need to put them on the engine first and line it all up before drilling in the lag bolts. This makes sense, but I'm looking for any tricks, tips and advice on how to do this.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

I have an 89 Four Winns 285 Vista. I just had the stringers and transom rebuild. They shop reinstalled the starboard engine, but I had already pulled the port side before I took it in for the repair.

They did not install the engine mounts for the port engine, and said I need to put them on the engine first and line it all up before drilling in the lag bolts. This makes sense, but I'm looking for any tricks, tips and advice on how to do this.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I did exactly that when I "re-did" my engine compartment.

I put the engine mounts on the engine and lowered it in place and installed the rear bolts.


Then I used a drill to locate the holes in the mount pads.

I seem to remember using a right angle drill because I couldn't drill straight.

I also did not fully drill the holes....instead I just started drilling to locate the holes and picked the engine back up to finish.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

I put the engine mounts on the engine and lowered it in place and installed the rear bolts.

Ayuh,....
By hanging the motor, attaching the rear motor mount bolts,+ Then Aligning the motor with the bar,...
You'll be Exactly where it wants to be....

 

[rybad]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

Thanks for you advice. I managed to get it in this afternoon.. I'm still not comfortable with my alignment.. it seems a little stiffer than the STB side. I think its the up/down adjustment. I'll play with it tomorrow somemore, hopefully I can get the alignment bar nice and loose.

One other quick question. It looks like my port side is about 1/2 to an inch higher than the STB side. Does is really matter, as long as the alignment feels good? I know I should get them as close as possible, but just wondering how criticle it really is.

 

[Don S]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

One other quick question. It looks like my port side is about 1/2 to an inch higher than the STB side. Does is really matter, as long as the alignment feels good?

Unless the stringers are EXACTLY the same hight from the inner transom plate. The mounts will not be the same. The chances of that are slim to none.
When adjusting for alignment you want equal weight on each front mount. Kind of a FEEL on how hard the wrench is to turn on the mounts when raising the engine.
Without equal weight, when you tighten down the upper lock nut, you could twist the engine and throw the alignment out again.
When is is in alignment and everything tightened down. Always recheck your alignment with the bar.

 

[mkast]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

Remember to rotate the engine and recheck.

 

[rybad]

Re: Remounting Engine after Stringer Rebuild

I'm in the process of reconnecting all of the wiring harnesses. I have OMC 350/5.7 Cobra's. There are two 50amp fuses that mount on top of the engine. Each of them have a wire coming off of them with an eye-connector. I assume these would go to the started. Do they both go to the same connector on the started? I only have one open terminal on the starter. My manual does not specifically show where those connect.

Thanks!