Cant get shaft aligned

I recently installed a rebuilt engine (Ford 302)and when aligning the engine, had to drop the front down all the way on the mounts (took the nut off and put a thick washer in there) and still has to go down more. Raised the engine, lowered the mounts a half inch (Routed out and epoxy) and still needed to go down more. Engine is sitting on the rear mounts good. Why is there a difference between the engine (Block). I used all the original brackets, mounts, bolts and it appears that this rebuilt engine will need to be atleast 1 and a half inch to 2 inches lower than the original. Are the blocks different? The front of the coupler aligns with the gimbal bearing nicely. I still have about a 16th inch to drop and it should be ok, buy I had to drop the front of the engine so much, my alternator and oil filter are almost hitting the floor.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

Maybe you are going the wrong way! Did you try raising the engine.<br />Could also be you have bad rear mounts, or missing parts. What kind of drive????

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

Its an 888. I totally dont understand this. I pulled the old motor before and put it back in by aligning it by eye first, got it close, then was able to align it with the tool. I almost had it perfect by eye. This one by eye, it looks like the front of the motor needs lowering and the tool confirms. The rear of the spline aligns great with the gimbal bearing and the shaft goes in all but a half inch then starts to bind. Coupler is new. Tool and grease marks confirm the front has to go down more. I checked the rear mounts and they are fine and no parts missing. Its got to align of Ill eat something up. An inch and a half lower than the other moter? Confusing.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

Turn the engine 180° and see if it makes a difference. I have seen bad couplers right out of the box many times.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

lowering the front raises the rear. were the rear mounts replaced. maybe there a bit short or the spacer that goes between the bushing and housing was ommitted when they were pressed in.was the "double wound washer" installed between the transom and engine housings.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

Hey Don Thanks. I looked it over good and do have all the pieces in right. There is a spacer on the rear engine mount (Starbord) that appears to be about 1/16th inch lower than the port. Could it have slipped down? But that still wouldnt account for the front of the engine having to be 1 1/2 inch lower than the original engine. Should I experiment with washers on the rear mount, pull it and reposition the spacer level with the port, or get a new rear engine mount? Are you sure there is no possibility of the blocks being different? It'll go in smooth until about 5/8" then starts to bind up.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

BT. I did have to lower the mounts into the floor some. And now it seem Im playing a game of washers, spacers, etc. with this thing and the engine is winning. The fact that the front of the engine is sitting much lower than the original tells me there is a difference in the blocks. One thing is for sure, I have to get it aligned or it'll be trouble. I have a seloc manual and did everything as advised. Im fixing to pull the starter, get the block number and call ford to see if there is a difference in the new and original. Heck, I might have to rerout the oil pickup screen to the front of the motor so it'll have oil to pickup!!!! HELP!!!!

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

PS When engine is turning, Coupler turns true. If I loosen up the rear mounts the shaft slides in a little more.

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

sounds to me like you changed more than just the block. It's always difficult to know the source of a problem, when you have multiple variables.<br />that said, considering that this is a Ford, it wouldn't surprise me for a second if the blocks were different! Ah, the simplicity of the SBC

Re: Cant get shaft aligned

I second TilliamWE.....Make sure you got the right block for the right year....Ford is notorious for, "Having a better idea"....Check that casting # and compare with your year. It would not suprise me a bit, if it were wrong somehow...JK