Alignment questions

[250Gimp]

Hi All

I started to do the alignment on my boat today (Finally!), and I have a couple concerns. (By the way this is my first time doing this!)

I have been tweeking the engine up and down, and I find the sweet spot where the alignment bar goes in and out with two fingers, but then I turn the engine and things are bound up again.

Here are my concerns:

- Firstly, when I follow the tips from the Adults Only section and whack the alignment bar on all four sides I still seem to have some side to side miss alignment with the drive coupler. To remedy this I hit the bar to one side to get it to align better. (again side to side only) Is this the proper way to do it?

- after I find the sweet spot I rotate the engine, but here is how I do it.....I put tape on the crank pulley and bump the starter to rotate the engine. Is this going to cause issues?

After all this I get drag on the bar in different areas, after rotating the crank, sometimes at the side, not the top or bottom, according to the grease tracks. Sometimes at the top or bottom. :facepalm:

I'm starting to get frustrated, as I spent 3 hours getting in and out of the boat messing with this today and my back is killing me!

I have read the sticky that was in the Adults only section, and I searched on this, but I still don't have any clear answers.

Any thoughts from the experts out there?

Thanks for the time!!

Cheers

 

[cr2k]

Re: Alignment questions

Sounds like your coupler may be a little off. Other then pulling the motor and changing it, I would just go for the best compromise. Just make sure you use spline grease when you put it in.

 

[250Gimp]

Re: Alignment questions

Thanks for the quick reply cr2k!

Can I use Gimbal grease instead?

What is the advantage of spline grease?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Alignment questions

Spline grease is more tenacious and sticks better. Marine grease is mainly for lube and corrosion, your coupler needs a high pressure grease some kind of PTFE lube like red tacky will work. Regular grease will tend to squish out. (tech term!)

 

[250Gimp]

Re: Alignment questions

Thanks cr2k

Any thoughts on my turning the motor by bumping the starter?

Cheers

 

[achris]

Re: Alignment questions

...Any thoughts on my turning the motor by bumping the starter?

Won't cause any problems....

 

[250Gimp]

Re: Alignment questions

Thanks for the reply achris!