when I look down the back of my engine, I can see the driveshaft stiking into the back.. if that's what you mean by a "gap", then yes, there is a space between the coupler and the transom assembly
I feel for you, wish I could help, but everyone has given the typical causes for this not going on all the way. Try taking it back off and removing the grease from the O rings and lube them with a little oil instead. This may keep it from causing the air pressure you are getting when trying to get the O rings past that beautiful new gimble bearing you put in there.
Just to prove a point, take the o-rings off and see if it will go all the way in. DO NOT leave the o-rings off for the permenent install. One other thought, are you sure you have the correct o-rings on the shaft ?
Just to prove a point, take the o-rings off and see if it will go all the way in. DO NOT leave the o-rings off for the permenent install. One other thought, are you sure you have the correct o-rings on the shaft ?
Well, I finally got it on. Turned out that I didn't have it aligned as well as I thought. I didn't know the tool should go all the way up into the shaft. Once I figured that out I raised and lowered the engine until the spline marks on the tool where as equal as I could get it. I then tried to get the outdrive on again. At first it stopped right at that same spot and I thought, "here we go again." Out of frustration I kicked it and low and behold it slide down to within 1/4" of the bottom. I then tightened it down with the nuts and washers and it completely seated itself.
I am not totally sure that I have the alignment totally correct. I will go ahead and brekdown and take it to a shop locally and have them check the alignment and reseat it just to be certain that all is well before I actually take it out to the water.
Thanks for everything guys. You all are the best!!!!
Pat yourself on the back wil. You did a lot of work for a first timmer. The job you have done is not for the fant at heart. It's really not that bad if you've done a few and really understand what is happening. I would say if your grease marks are pretty even all the way around the bar, and the bar was in all the way, you should be good to go. After all the work you preformed the drive should be pulled at around 20 hours to recheck the alignment and make sure your not getting water in the bellows anyway. Be sure all your engine mounts are good and tight. I believe your set for a test drive though.
You're gonna beat me to the water! I'm still mounting the trim pump and tab pump. I still have to wire everything up but I'm not that far behind I guess.
It's a pretty good feeling to have that 460 gone! I know you were happy to see that 460 go!
