Aligning coupler and drive shaft splines.

[beruken]

Latest in the saga of getting my boat ready for summer... I had to replace the exhaust manifolds and decided while waiting on stern drive parts to test the engine. Now the drive shaft spines do not line up as the coupler position has moved. How do I re-align the coupler or drive shaft? I can't spin the drive shaft. I assume this is normal as it is in forward gear or will putting the prop on give me the leverage?

K

 

[Bt Doctur]

OK, if I`m reading it correctly your trying to install the driver but the shaft dosent line up. lubricate the impeller with a glass of soapy water.
turn the driveshaft clockwise to lube the impeller. Now ,with the drive locked in fwd and the prop locked CCW, gently turn the prop CCW about a 1/2 to 1 inch. splines will line up and drive will slip on. You lube the impeller because your turning it backwards and you don't want the vanes to flip over.

 

[beruken]

Wrong shaft Bt. Sorry I am trying to install the stern drive and I started the engine a few days ago. Now the flywheel coupler is out of position.

 

[mr 88]

Bump the starter untill it lines up or you can take a prybar or something similar and put it between 2 of the 4 bolts that hold the water pump pulley on. Just give it a nudge and you should be lined up.

 

[beruken]

Thanks mr 88 I was thinking the same but it's hard to do without much help. I'll try option two first.

 

[saltybutwet]

if you remove the spark plugs, you can rotate the engine much easier, possibly by the belt

 

[stonyloam]

On mine sometimes the driveshaft will bump up against the coupler and I have to reach behind the engine to make sure it is centered. Then push in till the splines hit, a if they are not exactly lined up turn the prop CCW a little while pushing in, should slip in. Yes the prop will give you more leverage.

 

[beruken]

thanks, I was able to turn the engine with a socket on the crankshaft / timing wheel. I can't get the prop to rotate ccw it's too hard and I don't have a stand for the drive. There is still no oil in the drive. I was waiting to get the stern drive on first. Though that should have no impact. Once I get some help again I'll let you know how it worked.

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you cant turn the prop by hand something is wrong. You should be able to turn the input shaft by hand also.

 

[beruken]

If you cant turn the prop by hand something is wrong. You should be able to turn the input shaft by hand also.

​when the boat came out of the water last fall it was working fine. gear oil looked good too. I was able to turn the prop shaft by hand with the lower unit separated from the upper but it wasn't easy. Also, I would think with both sections separated i could turn the drive shaft as well, but it doesn't budge.

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the drive separated you can turn the upper unit input shaft very easily. The lower unit will have the resistance of the impeller but it can be turned with a good grip Ion the driveshaft

 

[Bt Doctur]

With the drive separated you can turn the upper unit input shaft very easily. The lower unit will have the resistance of the impeller but it can be turned with a good grip Ion the driveshaft. leaving the drive empty could have rusted the upper unit bearings

 

[beruken]

With the drive separated you can turn the upper unit input shaft very easily. The lower unit will have the resistance of the impeller but it can be turned with a good grip Ion the driveshaft. leaving the drive empty could have rusted the upper unit bearings

Groan... it was stored indoors, though it sat for almost two months prior, attached to the boat, and there was water in the bellows cause the bilge got flooded.

​I could never move it and just tried. How can I check the upper bearings? removing the top plate?

Is it possible it's just not properly shifted into forward? The shaft spins cw properly and locks ccw so I assume it is.

 

[Bt Doctur]

remove the 4 cap bolts and look inside

 

[beruken]

i assume i need to order a new gasket and have to wait days for that now.

I got the drive on and the shifting mechanism worked fine, forward, neutral reverse. However, I am concerned it would not move by hand. what are the consequences? quick idle test in forward to see if the prop spins?

 

[stonyloam]

Well it sure won't spin now LOL, so make sure the outdrive is full of oil and give it a quick try try to keep it around 650 RPM. Make sure you have the muffs on so you don't trash the impeller. Be very careful around the spinning prop. Good luck, let us know how you make out.

 

[bruceb58]

Before you put the drive on, did you check the alignment with an alignment bar?

 

[stonyloam]

Sounds like a plan. Make sure the outdrive is full of oil, and keep the RPM low (650 or so) make sure the muffs are on so you don't trash the impeller.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Well, most drives that you cant turn by hand have bearings with a lot of rust on them. At the least you will have a very noisy drive ,at the worst you will rip the coupler apart

 

[stonyloam]

What am I thinking? To check it out you do not have to put it in gear, just see if the starter will turn it over. You might pull the coil center wire just so it will not start. If it turns over easily you should be in reasonably good shape, if it does not well then maybe not.