Warped coupler?

[89-conv]

96 4 winns Volvo-penta ford 302 cobra , with 95 factory outdrive cobra SX SP..

Started out just repairing lower outdrive and replacing,, but once lower portion of drive was re-installed a noise was coming near the gimble bearing or U-Joint.. Both are fine, but replaced the gimble bearing just the same.. However, the engine wouldn't align up.. always touching the left side.. with great hesitation and several measurements, found that engine was off center in front.. after much more hesitation,, I pulled the mounts,, centered the engine filled and caped the mount holes, and reset the lag bolts..

So,, the difference is tremendious... and now,, the alignment tool, doesn't get a rub on the left side in every point of rotation as it had been..

However,, I can align it with crank at Top dead center, (12 O'clock),, it's nearly perfect,,,.. But once I rotate it 180, (6 O'clock) tool becomes tight and hard rub on the bottom..

Each phase of turning the crank 1/4 or 90 degrees,, the tool touches,, 1st 90 degree,, at 3 O'clock,, 2nd turn to 6 O'clock and finally 3rd to 9 O'clock,, until back to 12 O'Clock, where it feels like butter..

Warped coupler??

should or could I try, just zeroing it in at each 90 degree pivot,, to find a center balance.. Or pull the engine and replace the coupler ??

probability that a warped coupler could have a noise emanating from the gimble area is??

 

[Don S]

Re: Warped coupler?

When the engine was off to the side as yours was, anytime the engine is off, the coupler will be pushing one side, and have a tendency to push to one side. If it's only a slight amount, OK at 0, but goes in with drag at 180, you might try equalizing it out for slight drag at 0 and 180, run it for a while and recheck. I would bet it settles down and the alignment may be ok. Keep it lubed and check it yearly for wear on the coupler splines and you will probably get many more years out of it before needing to pull the engine.

 

[89-conv]

Re: Warped coupler?

Incidentally, "Butter" or "feels like butter".. It's not until ya can turn the alignment tool smooth and easy does the "Butter" effect make sense.. It's difficult to describe, or I haven't read anybody describing it..

Because,, as you align your engine, with no prior experence, , it's easy to 'think' you've zeroed it in properly, but not until you actually move it to "butter" do ya actually, 'know' ya really got it.

So, thought I'd take a poke at a written description.. Might help others:

So,, My take on "It's feels like butter": The alignment between engine and Drive (gimble bearing) is centered, zeroed in to the extent it no longer touches the spline inside of the coupler. When it's centered, Grease is thick enough to bear a small amount of the tools weight, The only drag at this point is,, the grease on the tool, thick as soft butter, floats the tool inside of the spline.

Visually, although you may see spline marks in the grease on the tool , they are not touching the metal, or rubbing the grease off of it in any single or multiple spot. ..

Hence "Butter" or "feels like butter" indicates; the engine is aligned 'smooth as butter,' because the tool is floating on the greese..

.

 

[boobie]

Re: Warped coupler?

Do like Don S says and run it. Things have a habit of settling in.