New Coupler not true

[thegodown]

I just replaced both couplers in my 270 Sundancer. I aligned the port engine, but once I turned the crank 180 degrees the alignment went way off. Do I have a bad coupler? Can I get away with finding the mid-point and keeping my fingers crossed that the coupler will not fail again? Any suggestions that will help me avoid pulling that motor again are greatly welcomed.

[f_inscreenname]

"Do I have a bad coupler?" Unknown until you take it off. It could be bad or it may have gotten cocked some how when installing it or the flywheel didn't seat properly. One thing is for sure is that the motor will have to come back out. Sorry. If it is as bad as you say, if it doesn't burn up the coupler right away it will at least vibrate like a SOB.

[thegodown]

The coupler is brand new. How will I tell if it's bad once removed?? It looked great when I put it in there. I also cleaned the crank mating surface and it definitely was flush when I tightened the nuts.Boy do I hate learning the hard way.....

[f_inscreenname]

One way to tell is to stand the coupler up on a flat surface and insert your alignment tool into it and see if it sticks up straight. Or with it still on the motor, spin the motor (again with the tool in the coupler) and see if you can see the difference. Did you try leaving the tool in the coupler and spinning the motor a couple times and then check it? Maybe the gimble bearing is off a little now and needs to line itself up with the shaft. Give it a try first.

[thegodown]

I did spin the motor with the alignment tool inserted, and yes, it wobbled, probably about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. I marked the pulley with a dab of paint so I could tell the angle of the crank. With the mark straight up, it is aligned and the tool slips in and out with ease. With the mark straight down, the tool is locked in place and won't retract.

[f_inscreenname]

Sorry dude but unless your alignment tool is bent or there is something in the coupler f_in it up. The hoist will have to come back out to get to the back of the motor. You will at least need to see if everything is seated properly and if it is then you will need to do something with the coupler.

[thegodown]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I'll be building a BIG A-frame this weekend. I had the motors pulled at the boat shop the first time around and it cost me $240 to pull and replace both motors. I did all the work in between.I suspect (and hope) I just got unlucky and got a bad new coupler. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not something more serious like a bent crank.

[Don S]

If your alignment is way off after turning 180°, your first alignment probably didn't fit exactly right either. I've been thru this many times with both Mercruiser and Volvo couplers. We have always got replacements without question when we explain how we tested them on the engine.But before you remove it, call whomever you bought the coupler from and explain the problem.If it's any kind of reputable company they will replace it, but there just isn't any way of really testing them once off the engine.

[thegodown]

Thanks Don. I think that's the confirmation I was looking for.....the new ones are sometimes bad.