What Is Engine Alignment?

[gregstukey]

What is "engine alignment" actually? I know it has to do with the u-joint shaft entering the engine coupler properly but if the outdrive was pulled and you want to put it back in, wouldnt it be aligned to where you left it?

ps- It's the only thing that is a mystery to me preventing me from pulling the drive myself to check the bellows. Do I REALLY need a tool to re-align?

pss- sorry for the stupid questions...

 

[Don S]

Re: What Is Engine Alignment?

What is "engine alignment" actually? I know it has to do with the u-joint shaft entering the engine coupler properly

Basically, that's it. The shaft need to hit equally all around the inside of the coupler.
When you pull the drive, the coupler could be going bad, or the rear motor mounts getting soft and letting the engine sag, or the nuts on the front motor mounts have come loose and allowed the engine to drop.
The alignment check does nothing more than tell you "Something has Changed".
At that point, you MUST find out what changed or you will end up loosing the coupler. And they are not cheap.

 

[ringmaster]

Re: What Is Engine Alignment?

make sure you have alot of patiences to do the alignment if you do it. i am mechanicly incline but when it comes to outdrives im clueless i have learned alot from this site but when it come to the alignment part it sucked. it took me 4hrs till i got it right and that with the help of a respected marine mechanic. even if you dont do anything else to the motor it doesnt hurt to check to make sure it will save you money in the long run.