I realize that this post is almost identical to that of 1981century's, but that thread is pretty old, and his solution doesn't seem to apply to my predicament.
My friend and I have just replaced the engine in my 1995 Dynasty. (4.3L V-6, Alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive) I was careful not to disturb the front mounts, but when I tried the alignment bar it would only enter the coupler splines about a half-inch. I raised the mounts a turn at a time, and at about two and a half turns the alignment bar would go in and out with a bit of force. (Too much force according to my web research.) I had spline marks on the tool bottom only. We raised the engine a bit at a time until we were almost out of threads without noticing much change; the bar would still go all the way in with maybe a bit more force. Still heavy spline marks on the bottom and light to none on the top. It seems to me that if we went _too_ high, the bar should stop going in all the way. That's not what we're seeing. What am I missing? (If I seem to be a noob at this, I am; I have done lots of mechanical / machining work in the past, but this is my first boat project.) The engine install went smoothly, and the fiber washers that 1981century mentioned in his post are tight on both sides. Flywheel run-out was almost nonexistent. I have loosened and re-tightened the rear mount pins. I have tried going a turn or so higher on one side vs. the other. I have wiggled and re-seated the gimbal bearing. Getting ready to loosen all the mounts, pick up on the engine with the hoist and 'shake' it a bit.
How much adjustment (in turns or fractions of turns) should I expect from 'not aligned' to 'aligned'? (How sensitive is this adjustment?)
Is there another issue that I might be missing? I had the Merc. tech at the place I buy my parts examine the coupler, and he pronounced it good.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! We missed being on the water last summer due to a cracked engine block, and I really don't want to miss this summer as well. (It is _hot_ here in Texas!)
My friend and I have just replaced the engine in my 1995 Dynasty. (4.3L V-6, Alpha 1 gen 2 outdrive) I was careful not to disturb the front mounts, but when I tried the alignment bar it would only enter the coupler splines about a half-inch. I raised the mounts a turn at a time, and at about two and a half turns the alignment bar would go in and out with a bit of force. (Too much force according to my web research.) I had spline marks on the tool bottom only. We raised the engine a bit at a time until we were almost out of threads without noticing much change; the bar would still go all the way in with maybe a bit more force. Still heavy spline marks on the bottom and light to none on the top. It seems to me that if we went _too_ high, the bar should stop going in all the way. That's not what we're seeing. What am I missing? (If I seem to be a noob at this, I am; I have done lots of mechanical / machining work in the past, but this is my first boat project.) The engine install went smoothly, and the fiber washers that 1981century mentioned in his post are tight on both sides. Flywheel run-out was almost nonexistent. I have loosened and re-tightened the rear mount pins. I have tried going a turn or so higher on one side vs. the other. I have wiggled and re-seated the gimbal bearing. Getting ready to loosen all the mounts, pick up on the engine with the hoist and 'shake' it a bit.
How much adjustment (in turns or fractions of turns) should I expect from 'not aligned' to 'aligned'? (How sensitive is this adjustment?)
Is there another issue that I might be missing? I had the Merc. tech at the place I buy my parts examine the coupler, and he pronounced it good.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! We missed being on the water last summer due to a cracked engine block, and I really don't want to miss this summer as well. (It is _hot_ here in Texas!)
....