Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

[mikeauton]

So I got my alignment tool today finally, stern drive is off on and sat happily on my newly constructed dolly (compliments of the pics I found on here as guide to build it). Read up on every possible thread on here + watched the youtube vidoes and am pretty sure my engine is not aligned correctly. The bar goes in and out but not as easily as I believe it should and it lacks spline marks on the bottom of the bar. So I have some questions :-

The motor mounts look pretty obvious (I think!) I assume I am meant to be adjusting the bolts on the threaded post? Does the nut on top need to be loose when doing this? Am I adjusting this one or the one underneath which is a little harder to get to? I need a socket to fit it as my largest one is 19mm - anyone any idea what size it is?

Turning the engine over? What is the easiest way to do this - i.e which wheel do I need to be turning? I cannot see a nut on the main one on the right under the alternator?

Does the throttle shift need to be completely forward when checking the alignment? I seem to recall reading this somewhere?

I am trying to take my time to ensure this is done correctly.

As ever, any input is greatly appreciated

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

If no spline marks on the bottom, then the alignment is way off. Take the front of the engine down. Keep equal weight on both front mounts.

Does the throttle shift need to be completely forward when checking the alignment? I seem to recall reading this somewhere?

That is for Mercruisers Alpha drives, and has nothing to do with alignment.

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

Thanks - am I adjusting the nuts on top of the mount? Do I need to adjust the one underneath?

I hear you on equal weight

Any idea on size of the nut? I will go buy a wrench to fit it.....

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

Thanks - am I adjusting the nuts on top of the mount? Do I need to adjust the one underneath? (tried to attach a picture of the mount, but says it is too large)

I hear you on equal weight

Any idea on size of the nut? I will go buy a wrench to fit it.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

Think about it a little, how could adjusting the top nuts above the mount do anything?????

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

Think about it a little, how could adjusting the top nuts above the mount do anything?????

Ayuh,......

The bottom nut has All the weight on it...

The top nut is merely the Lock....

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

The nut is 15/16 for anyone else who reads this post. I consulted the Seloc manual on this task and it was suitably misleading to say the least!! What a waste of $25 that thing was

So finally my tiny brain figured it all out, but I seem to be having the same problem as many other people whos post's I have read. I got it aligned perfectly so the bar went in and out with ease (used the 3 finger test), as soon as I turned the engine 90 degrees (I even worked out how to do this too it seemed to go out of alignment.

I wondered if possibly my adjustments were not equal, so I wound the nuts right down till they were tight, then worked back up again with precise adjustments on each side - again, got it aligned and again the same problem when I turned the engine 90 degrees.

I hate to even suggest it as I know what is involved in replacing it, but possibly the problem is with my coupler? Any other more palatable suggestions anyone?

This alignment lark is bloody hard work on your own!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

When the engine has been out of alignment for a long time and just setting, the coupler can take a set. Leave the drive off for a coupe of weeks and it might go back to normal. Personally, I would align it so it's a two finger test, turn it 180 and readjust, then just split the difference.
Then make a couple of runs and recheck.

After you do the alignment, and get it where you want, tighten the lock nuts and make sure things don't change. If they do change, it means one of the bottom nuts didn't have any weight on it, when you tightened it down it twisted the engine on all the rubber mounts.

 

[mikeauton]

Re: Engine aligment - Volvo 5.0GL-H

Thanks for the additional advice. In the end, I got my wife to help out and we seem to have got it set correctly, with her helping as I was able to make very slight adjusts and of course knew instantly if the tool was moving in and out easier. My advice to others would be to get a second pair of hands, jumping in and out of the boat to test and readjust is tiring and a little disheartening, you can do the job more accurately and 10 times quicker with help

My plan is to run the boat next weekend, then I am going to take the drive off again and re check it to be 100% sure it is still good.

Without a doubt, this has been a learning curve and I would not have been able to do it without the advice I received on this wonderful forum.

I am all set for looking after my new toy + I really enjoy doing the maintenance myself - it is a win-win