1996 215 SeaRay EC engine alignment

[Ed Harris]

I have a general question about engine alignment. Recently I pulled my 5.7L to replace the flywheel. Everything went well. After engine install I used the alignment tool and the alignment felt pretty good. Installed the outdrive and it slid back in with no issues. Now while the engine is running you can hear a little thumping from the driveshaft while engine is at idle out of the water and running on hose. I am thinking I may need to adjust the motor either up or down to clear up the thump. Would this be correct without having to pull the drive back off? I didn’t notice it thumping before the engine pull.

 

[Lou C]

Did you coat the end of the alignment tool with grease & look at the witness marks?
Ujoint condition?

 

[Bt Doctur]

No, you dont try to do that with the drive attached. If the tool slid in and the drive went in with no resistance your most likely very,very close to correct alignment

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thump more likely u-joints than alignment.

 

[achris]

Now while the engine is running you can hear a little thumping from the driveshaft while engine is at idle out of the water and running on hose.

As already stated, if the alignment tool went in and out and the grease marks are even, do not change it, especially with the drive still on the boat.

Thump more likely u-joints than alignment.

Or it could be that without the boat in the water and no load on the prop the engine idle speed variation is enough to had the dogs in the gear housing 'bumping'. I've hear that before, and it does sound like a driveshaft problem.

Chris......

 

[Ed Harris]

I did notice a little more grease on the bottom radius of the alignment tool and the ujoints didn’t have any end play or looseness feel to them.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[achris]

Have you watch my video on how to 'read' the alignment tool grease marks?

 

[Ed Harris]

Have you watch my video on how to 'read' the alignment tool grease marks?

I have not. I will look it up on you tube. Since I have to rebuild my trailer I am going to give it a run as is and go from there. I know it’s really close but it may could get a skoooosh better.

 

[Ed Harris]

Watched Achris video and had to adjust the front of the engine down about 4 full turns on each bolt to get some index marks all around my alignment tool. Was getting index marks on just the top of the tool to start with.
Another question off topic is should I be able to hold my hand on the risers while running? I could not put may hand on the starboard riser but the port riser you could put your hand on it.
I have changed the impeller in 3 years so I am thinking of starting there first?