Another alignment question

[kellydee]

New merc 5.7 with alpha gen 2.Is the second step on the alignment bar supposed to fit in the coupler snugly or with about 1/8" gap?Not the splined part,it fits snugly as does the gimble bearing.The second step has slop in the coupler though.Do I maybe have the wrong bar?After it goes through the empty end of the coupler It takes a little wiggle to find the splines and then slips right in.Normal,or should that be a nice fit too?I can adjust the mounts at least 4-5 full turns up/down and it pretty much feels the same.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Another alignment question

You can measure your bar to these specs it should work. 4 or 5 turns should make a difference. Check the coupler splines for wear, if they're sharp or pointed it is worn and should be replaced.

 

[Don S]

Re: Another alignment question

The second step (1.150 section) doesn't get used in the alignment process. It is just machined down so it clears the long tube on some couplers.

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

I notice if I run the bar in/out with the weight of the bar hanging on it,it leaves the pattern on the top but barely the bottom.If I lift up just enough to take the weight off the bar ,It's just the opposite.Should be good,right?

 

[Don S]

Re: Another alignment question

Check all the mounts and make sure they are tight, then turn the engine 180? if you haven't already and make sure it's still ok, if it is, put the drive on.

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

Thanks,I'm on it.Matter of fact,the new drive from SEI just came today.I smell Halibut on the barbie already!

 

[paultech6]

Re: Another alignment question

when you put alignment bar in it should seat against the first step . A perfectly aligned engine you should be able to turn the bar with hardly any effort by one hand.There should be no up and down play or side to side if there is you have problem.Your rear mounts should be tight and all your adjustments are done at front.
Coat the end of the bar with grease and if you put in with difficulty look for the marks left by the splines
If you see more at top then the front of engine has to come down and vice versa for marks at bottom
If you see them on left side of bar then engine goes to the right and vice versa for the other side. once all lined up tighten your mounts into stringers and tighten the main nut . Recheck once finished. Dont forget to grease the drive splines before putting drive on
Hope this helps

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

OK,when I turned the motor over 180 degrees,the coupler was rubbing more on the bottom.Raised front of mounts 2 turns.all is tightened down now but ,when at 0 (TDC)coupler leaves more pattern on top of bar ,when at 180 degrees,leaves more pattern on bottom.It's like I'm perfectly centered but maybe coupler is slightly off.Is this possible,normal?When I was putting a washer under the rear mounts,I had to raise the rear of the motor a little.My buddy raised a little too far(the coupler was against the transom plate)just barely though.Would I have to put a lot of pressure on the coupler to bend/distort it?I don't think there was much pressure on it but,alignment suggests to me that the coupler could be slightly off.Trouble,or is this why I checked/adjusted all the way around?

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

Maybe answer my own question.Remove spark plugs AGAIN and ckeck at 90 and 270 degrees,if there is a problem,should show side to side,right?

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

Just had another brainfart.I placed a straightedge across the trim cylinders (to hold it steady),spun the alignment bar all the way around several times.Bar moves up/down 1/8" consistently,every time.Is this why they say"DO NOT USE ALIGNMENT BAR OTHER THAN QUICKSILVER"? This is an after mkt bar.Am I just being OVER anal.I've been accused of being too much of a perfectionist more than once.I want to move on but,can't seem to get past this step.

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

Gonna try a teensy bump on the bearing,maybe that?

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

IT'S THE STINKIN BAR.Put the bar on my bench,braced it aganst the vice,placed a piece of cardboard at the coupler end and rotated.The bar is not true.No wonder I'm having so much trouble getting it PERFECT.20 miles to the rental bar.The one I have is a borrowed one.I'm gonna SCREAM!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Another alignment question

You know,

I didn't check that thing for runout!! I used it to check the alignment on my 150hp MC-1 Drive when I replaced the coupler and I checked the King Cobra when I started taking it apart. If you want I can take it over to my neighbor and put it on his lathe and stick a dial indicator on it. That will absolutely show any runout f there is any.

I would be willing to bet that all couplers have a tiny tiny bit of runout in the rubber section though. a few ten-thousandths runout in the rubber section would show up visibly at the end of that alignment bar since it's 3 feet long or so.

Am I WAY off base Don?

 

[kellydee]

Re: Another alignment question

Hey Rick,hows it goin?Boy am I having fun.I don't have your # as I didn't store it in my phone.If you have mine,buzz me,or I can PM it to ya.