Hi. Recently rebuilt my 1996 88SPL and after an hour or so of break-in I noticed a corresponding vibration and noise between ~2500 ? 4000 RPM which I attributed to upper main bearing failure. Well after writing in, reading a bunch of posts, doing a bunch of checks up top (compression, wrist-pin bearing play, etc.) & thinking about it, I decided to drop the lower unit and have a look.
Just a note here first: As part of my rebuild I replaced entire water pump assy with a new knock-off brand. Water pressure out the tell-tale was always strong and temp gage ran normal but there was always a rubber squeak sound when turning the fly-wheel by hand that I don?t recall hearing ever before.
So, upon separation I discovered that the drive shaft has significant side-to-side, front-to-back play of approx ?? as measured at the top of the shaft. Seems like something went bad inside the bearing assembly housing that is bolted onto the top of the gear case. So my question is; do you suppose the shaft / bearing failure (yet undiagnosed) is just a coincidence of could it somehow be the result of my powerhead rebuild handy work? Top end runs fine otherwise, starts hot or cold no problem, smooth power right to 5000 RPM, etc. Didn?t have any assembly issues getting the power head back on as well.
Just a note here first: As part of my rebuild I replaced entire water pump assy with a new knock-off brand. Water pressure out the tell-tale was always strong and temp gage ran normal but there was always a rubber squeak sound when turning the fly-wheel by hand that I don?t recall hearing ever before.
So, upon separation I discovered that the drive shaft has significant side-to-side, front-to-back play of approx ?? as measured at the top of the shaft. Seems like something went bad inside the bearing assembly housing that is bolted onto the top of the gear case. So my question is; do you suppose the shaft / bearing failure (yet undiagnosed) is just a coincidence of could it somehow be the result of my powerhead rebuild handy work? Top end runs fine otherwise, starts hot or cold no problem, smooth power right to 5000 RPM, etc. Didn?t have any assembly issues getting the power head back on as well.
