Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

[Ga Farmer]

I am a newby to this board but an old head on working on "stuff". I kinda introduced myself on the pwc forum and got some great help there.

But I have a bigger problem. I have a 99 regal 240 destiny with a 5.7 (350 chevy) and a SX-M drive that I bought 2 years ago. Not long after I got it I noticed a little piece of the seal hanging out from behind of the transom shield. It was leaking to but not to bad. The bilge would come on about every hour and half. So last year I noticed some vibration when turning so I took it down to the local jackleg boat repair guy. I say jackleg now, but he was highly recomended based on 3 or 4 poeple in the area of Lake Sinclair Ga. (He has since messed up 3 seadoos and blamed us for part of it.) He pulled the sterndrive and called me and said he had a hard time getting if off. He was wanting to know the whole story on the boat. He thought that it had been hung on something and pulled the sterndrive away from the transom. It hadn't been hung on anything since I had it and since I bought it from a dealer I so I can't get a hold of the PO.
He put some sealer on the outside of the transom shield and put in a new gimble bearing then charged me $450. and told me to come get it. When I put it in the water as soon as I put it into gear I heard a whirring noise. In less than a quarter mile, I went to squeeling and then there was a big blam fron the foot and I shut it off.

When I got it home and removed the foot I had to pry it away and then the gimble bearing came out in about 10 pieces the inner race was stuck on the shaft the bearings fell out loose and the outer race was very crooked in the transom shield. It was back from where it rides. There is some scoring in the transom shield but it is not in the area where the gimble bearing is.

So I pulled the motor to see what was going on in there. The only thing that I could see was that the very bottom u-shaped bracket was bent comfirming (I think) that it had been hung on something at some point. I replaced the bracket and put the motor back in. Now the alignment tool wont even start into the coupler. When I remove the tool and insert a pipe that I found that is the same size as the coupler it is about two thirds of the way to the left side of the gimble bearing. I understand that there should be no side to side adjustment. Only up and down.

SO what gives? Is the transom shield toast? I have it loose now and can't see anything wrong with it. The transom on my boat is solid. What should I be looking at?

ANY ideas or help would be appreciated. I can't see anything wrong with it but I don't really know where or at what I should be looking.

Thanks for your help

Wendell

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

You need to check the transom and make sure it's not rotten. If it is, the inner transom plate is out of place and the reason you can't align the engine.

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Hi Don,

I was hoping you would get on and give me an idea of what is going on.

The transom on my boat is solid. I tapped on it all over before I even started this project. I had read that if it was rotten then I was waisting my time. Even if it wasn't, the inner and outer plates are pretty much married togeather by virtue of the studds right? That is why this is so puzzling to me.

Thanks for your help!

Wendell

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

The inner transom plate tightens down against the transom. The transom itself has to be a consistant thickness across the area the inner transom shield is against. If not, the engine will be aimed the wrong way.
If you have the engine out, remove the transom shield, install a new oring around the outer ring of the transom shield and reinstall. It shouldn't require any sealant at all.

This is from the installation manual.

Transom Dimension Limits

Before beginning the installation, it is the installer’s responsibility
to determine that the boat transom meets
the following requirements:

• Maximum transom thickness: 2-1/4 in. (57 mm)

• Minimum transom thickness: 1-3/4 in. (44 mm)

• Inside transom area must be flat within 1/8 in. (3.17 mm)

• Outside transom area must be flat within 1/16 in. (1.57 mm)

• Inside and outside transom area must be parallel within ? 1/8 in. (3.17 mm)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

The transom on my boat is solid. I tapped on it all over before I even started this project. I had read that if it was rotten then I was waisting my time.

Ayuh,... Tappin' on it really don't tell ya Squat,...

Pull the housing Off, 'n inspect the wood with an Ice Pick, or even drill test holes, then refill 'em with resin filler...

As Don said, the transom needs to be true, 'n parallel...

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Thanks for the responces,

So how important is the torque of the six through bolts? If the transom is rotten then what should I do. Should I take it to someone who knows what they are doing? Or is it still a DIY project? Years ago I used to work on semi trailers and I worked for a dealership that sold FRP trailers. FRP stands for for fiberglass reinforced plywood. It was basically 3/4 in plywood with fiberglass mat and resin in each side to make a smooth finish, It also caused big problems with rot if the fiberglass was compromised. So I do kinda know a little about this stuff. Could the Transom plate be bent or warped? I know it is cast aluminum and usually that stuff wont bend much before it breaks.

Thanks for your help

Wendell
so I

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

If the transom is rotten then what should I do.

You replace the transom, end of story.

No, the transom shield will not bend, it breaks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

So how important is the torque of the six through bolts?

Ayuh,.... They're usually tightened upon installation, 'n Never need lookin' at again....

If the transom is rotten then what should I do. Should I take it to someone who knows what they are doing? Or is it still a DIY project?

There's Literally, Thousands of guys doin' it Diy, down the the Restoration forum, known as the Dry-dock locally...
The knowledge base in there is just Unbelievable,....
Diyer's, 'n Pro's alike in there, Regularly...

Could the Transom plate be bent or warped? I know it is cast aluminum and usually that stuff wont bend much before it breaks.

Anything is Possible,.....
If it's Bent, ya need a New 1,... Period...
Like ya say, aluminum, once bent usually Breaks next...

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

OK guys

Yall were right the transom was rotted. I looked like much more than I wanted to tackle so I took it to a guy who has been doing them for about 15 years. I got it back last week and started putting the engine back in today...But I still cant get the alignment tool to even start up into the flywheel hub. It seems to hit about an eighth of an inch low and to the right on the hub, at about the 5 o'clock position. I've run the engine up and down on the front mounts. I even tried to move it side to side. So what could I be missing or not doing right?

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

The inner portion of the gimbal bearing move independent of the outer portion. Use the alignement bar to move the inner portion. It's hard to move, but it does.
How sure are you the transom was done correctly and the engine re-installed correctly. With all that work, and not being able to see what is going on makes it really tough to figure out.
This might help too. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2971085

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Thanks Don,

I can move the inner race of the gimble bearing fairly easily with my alignment tool. I would guess that the end of my alignment tool will move about 3/4 or maybe an inch. It is about 24 inches long, is this the movement that you are speaking of? Should I try harder to move it? I had thought that there might be a problem there with it (the gimble bearing) not seated all the way in the housing, but I tapped on the outer race with a punch and it is solid, I also checked and the distance from the front of the inner race and the seal is the same all the way around.

The guy I used worked for Sea Ray for 15 years and when I called several boat dealers, two of them recommended him to me. (one of them was a Sea Ray dealer)That was how I found out about him. They said that he was who they used if ever someone brought in a transom to be replaced. He says that he has done hundreds of transoms. Transom and fiberglass work is all he does now as an independant. With that being said... Yeah, I guess that he could have messed up.
I am putting the engine back in myself and I thought that maybe it wasn't sitting down on the rear motor mounts, but I checked them with a mirror. I have also tightened them up so there is no movement there. The washers fit in their cutouts so I can't think of what is the problem.

What can I check...What can I do? I'm sure I am missing something, or not doing something right.

I appreciate anyones imput and Don's help!

I hope that everyone has a Happy Easter!!

 

[74bayliner]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Ga Farmer... go to the main forum and look under Completed Boat Projects and click on the [h=3]1995 Sea Ray 220 Signature Deck and Stringer Restoration
Watch some of his videos that will give you a clear idea of what you will be getting yourself into. Some people are down for that large amount of work others have the money to pay someone else. Good Luck sir[/h]

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Thanks Bayliner,

I saw that post and that was partially what made me decide to hire out the transom repair. My problem now is trying to get the engine aligned. I can't figure it out I'm sure I'm missing something....

 

[Ga Farmer]

Re: Volvo Penta transom shield alignment problem (long post)

Thanks again everybody and especially Don,

That did it! I put a little more pressure on my alignment bar and the gimble bearing moved a bunch! Then it was just a matter of centering it up and the tool slid right in. I still have to fine tune the adjustment but I have something I can work with now. I can't thank you enough for everyones help!!