Can't be done Alignment!

[5meter]

This is not my first alignment, just my worst.

I am attempting shaft alignment on 350 w/ alpha 1 (1983 / 84)

I can get perfect alignment when I have tension on the hoist, then I tighten
the mounts and loosen the hoist and the alignment tool is stuck in the coupler. It seems that the back of the engine lowers just a bit when the hoist is removed.

After 3 hours of adjusting I was ready to just shove in the drive and try it but I thought of Don's wisdom.

"Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time,
But always enough time to do it again?"

Background:
This is a new short block, was 305 now 350.
New gimbal bearing and new coupler.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

Ayuh,.........

Did you Check the integrity of the Rear Motor Mounts,.......
They do settle over Time......

Your's Might need Replacing........

And,...........

You should be doing the Alignment,....
Without a hoist attached to the motor in the 1st place.........

 

[5meter]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

They look good, metal sleeve is tight and the rubber is solid.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

Did you make sure all the washers are between the bellhousing and inner transom plate? (Items i and h below)

 

[5meter]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

Yes they're there, the only thing I noticed is the fiber washer stay's loose and I don't recall if it should.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

The motor should be sitting in the engine bed free of any hoist and bolted in before checking alignment.finding good alignment with a hoist sounds like it`s drops too far down.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

If the washers are there, torque the rear mount bolts down, move the hoist out of the way and try the alignment. If the coupler is hitting the top of the alignment bar, lower the front of the engine.
Also turn the engine 1/2 a revolution and recheck. If it changes, the coupler is bad.

 

[5meter]

Re: Can't be done Alignment!

Thanks for the help!
I got it! The inner part of the new gimbal bearing was the problem.