Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

[cwd60tx]

Ok heres the story I pulled out my 1977 351w and dropped in a 1990 351 reman,That is a story in it self! any way I had the cherry picker for 24 hrs. and my so called good buddy had to go after I got the new engine down in my boat but not bolted to the outdrive which is a old electric stringer. so I had to just leave the engine set in with in 2 and a half inches from lining up the splines so it would bolt togather.I am trying to use the bolts to the bell housing to draw it to gather like I have in a auto,but this is being a *****,any suggestions on lining it up? or should I just unbolt the outdrive and get the engine bolted up to the bell housing and then put the outdrive in? thanks

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

Run a plank across the gunwales and use a heavy duty ratchet strap to take weight off of engine.Turn motor by hand to line up splines.

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

ok thanks we"ll do

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

yeah dont draw it with the bolts - that housing is cast aluminum.... very easy to break

I'd pull the ball gear and intermediate shaft out the back first, then get the engine bolted up, then reinstall the intermediate shaft

 

[Don S]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

Turn motor by hand to line up splines.

Hopefully, you don't have to turn the engine at all, as the outdrive had better be off for removal and installation of the new engine. You must align the new engine with an alignment bar.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

stringer drive, Don - no gimbal

but same idea - remove drive, install engine, then the intermediate ball gear shaft will be inserted much the way an alignment bar would be on a modern drive, except it is splined, and always lines up because everything is dowelled in place

 

[Don S]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

nd dropped in a 1990 351 reman

My bad, read it as 'dropped it in a 1990 .............' :redface: Oops

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

ok now can I do like CobiaXL says run a plank across the gunwhale and use a rachet strap? or should I just go ahead and pull the outdrive? and yes its a electric stringer in a 1977 Cobalt

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

it's electric shift? - you can have the outdrive off and intermediate shaft removed in 15 minutes.
The boards are a good idea either way

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Trying to line up a 351w to a OMC outdrive

yes it is a electric shift