Alignment after transom replacement 1989 Cobra

[rolmops]

So I replaced the transom on a new to me 1989 221 Starcraft Islander and dropped my new 4.3 liter engine in. Everything looked fine until I tried to insert the alignment tool. It did not want to go into the coupler. I very slowly adjusted the front bolts from the very top to the very bottom, but it did not want to go in and always touched the top side of the top side of the coupler just a bit above the hole. I replaced the engine coupler thinking that might be problem,but it made no difference, next I replaced the gimbal bearing, that did not help either. I need the engine coupler to be a bit higher. One way to do that would be raising the rear of the engine by somehow adjusting the rear bolts but I have no idea how to do that. Any thoughts or ideas to solve my problem would be very welcome. Thank you,
One hour later.
I just read something written by Don about banging the gimbal bearing a bit to give it the right angle, could that be the solution?
Cornelis.

 

[flashback]

Yes the bearing is able to angle in all directions. Bump the alignment tool to move the bearing.
Edit: my bad I was referring to a mercrusier, apologies.

 

[Lou C]

Yes the bearing is able to angle in all directions. Bump the alignment tool to move the bearing.
Edit: my bad I was referring to a mercrusier, apologies.

it's the same for a Cobra the gimble design is the same. Even uses the same bearing and alignment tool.
I'd be wondering if something happened with your rear engine mounts.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I had to add pads on the top of my mounts to give me enough adjustment to align everything.
I could have been a little low on my mounts and or because my transom is a bit thicker than originally.
I have read that others have done this also.

 

[rolmops]

Thank you guys. Don as always was right. (May his Memory be blessed). I removed the gimbal bearing, as it turned out that I had put it in backward and put it back in. Then I banged the gimbal around a bit with the adjustment tool, gently aided by a healthy hammer. Now Everything slides in and out without any troubles.
I'll keep you guys posted.
Cornelis.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Thank you guys. Don as always was right. (May his Memory be blessed). I removed the gimbal bearing, as it turned out that I had put it in backward and put it back in. Then I banged the gimbal around a bit with the adjustment tool, gently aided by a healthy hammer. Now Everything slides in and out without any troubles.
I'll keep you guys posted.
Cornelis.

I'm glad you posted this thread because I didn't realize that the bearing was able to pivot to some degree.