What is this alignment tool you speak of?

Figured I'd start a new thread..just becuase....I was told to.

Is there instructions somewhere for this alignment tool? I'm not sure of how it works, as I helped my neighbor remove his alpha 1 outdrive a few times, and we never used any alignment tool...wasn't that hard, the shaft just slid right into place. When I looked at the installation instructions in the adults only section I didn't see any mention of this tool either...alpha 1 gen II btw.

Ian

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

It's to align your gimble bearing to your engine. A correct alignment is critical. before you install your drive you use the tool to tell if it's correct. Especially after an engine refit. But, it's good practice to check it every time the drives removed and reinstalled. You can't tell if the alignment is ok by the drive sliding in, the drive is heavy and cumbersome. "you need to use the the tool!"

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

Inspect the splines on the shaft for visible wear, generally if the splines
are worn then the coupler is also worn. If wear is evident replace the parts
as needed.


NEVER Force the alignment tool in, you can damage the tool and the coupler.

NOTE: If you find the tool will not slide into the gimba bearingl simply remove the black coating on the largest step with fine sand paper.


1) Once you have the engine height close enough to
fully insert the tool without force, then you can start
working on setting the proper alignment.

Take your time, getting it close enough to insert the
tool the first time can sometimes be the hardest (most
frustrating) part.

2) Coat the end section of the tool (the smallest diameter
area) with a light coat of grease and then insert it fully
into the coupler.

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low.

4) Adjust the engine height accordingly.

5) Keep checking the depth of the marks in the grease until
they are equal in depth on top and bottom.

Sometimes as little as 1/8th of a turn on the adjusting nut can be the
difference between being properly aligned, and just having it "close"

Lightly Grease the splines on the shaft (and on the coupler if you can) with
Spline grease prior to assembly.

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

Okay, so it's not about putting the outdrive back on, but the entire outdrive system then? Ie: the gimbal bearing housing.

Ian

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

If you have acess to a lathe or take this to a shop..They should turn one out fairly quick

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329915

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

See attached, I had mine made for 30.00 at local machine shop. Thanks for the drawing specs Don, I saved em!

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

You need the input shaft perfectly aligned so it meshes perfectly with the coupler. If you don't there is side pressure on the coupler and the gimabl bearing and will cause your coupler to wear prematurely. Changing one of those requires the engine to be pulled.

Re: What is this alignment tool you speak of?

Since most coupler splines are aluminum it is kinda critical to be properly aligned and lubed.

It doesn't take long to wear one out if misaligned and as stated requires engine removal to replace, not to mention they cost several hundred bucks.