Engine Alignment tool goes in about 1/4 of the way, question.

[Scott06]

Does anyone know how to check if the gimbal bearing is in the correct place? Is there a length or some type of measurement etc from the bearing to the outside of the bell housing?

Knock it in with a driver around the outer race. I think a piece of 3" sch 40 pvc will work. If it is bottomed out you will see it doesn't move. Probably some youtube vids you can look at

this has a decent picture of where the gimbal bearing sits vs the lip on the gimbal housing

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Update - I just spoke with a local reputable Boat shop mechanic with over 50 years experience, he said that if the alignment tool goes in fine and then bottoms out to the Gimbal bearing, that it's aligned. To my understanding i thought I had to go all the way into the coupler with that alignment tool. He said no, once you bottom out in the Gimbal bearing your good to go. The place is Toms Boat Shop Mercruiser Specialist right here in NY. I'm surprised nobody knew this info.

 

[BillWilliams]

Basically, that first "step" of the alignment tool should seat fully into the coupler so it should be able to go in about 2 inches or so. If it doesn't go that far, then it's not aligned.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Basically, that first "step" of the alignment tool should seat fully into the coupler so it should be able to go in about 2 inches or so. If it doesn't go that far, then it's not aligned.

In what I heard today from two skilled Mercruiser Mechanics were, when the alignment tool goes in and bottoms out at the gimbal bearing, and then turns easily with two fingers, the alignment is done. It doesn't matter how much it goes into the coupler. One mechanic said an inch into the coupler itself is fine, as long as it bottoms out at the bearing. I'm going with that for now. Let's see how she goes tomorrow with the leg on.

 

[nola mike]

Update - I just spoke with a local reputable Boat shop mechanic with over 50 years experience, he said that if the alignment tool goes in fine and then bottoms out to the Gimbal bearing, that it's aligned. To my understanding i thought I had to go all the way into the coupler with that alignment tool. He said no, once you bottom out in the Gimbal bearing your good to go. The place is Toms Boat Shop Mercruiser Specialist right here in NY. I'm surprised nobody knew this info.

Nobody knew that because it's wrong. The tool absolutely has to go into the coupler. Full stop. That's literally the whole point.

 

[Dubed]

If the shaft only goes in one inch, you are only managing to insert the tapered end till it binds. The entire process is meant to align the gimbal bearing with the Coupler so the shaft, bearing, and Coupler are on one plane. If they aren't aligned and you manage to force your outdrive on, you better order a new coupler

 

[Grub54891]

Misinterpretation? He said if it bottoms out in the gimble bearing. I think he meant the coupler. Going in one inch isn't aligned. I've seen a few that were at different shops that were serviced and claimed things were fine, but they were not.

 

[JASinIL2006]

There must be some miscommunication. The image below (from service manual #17) clearly shows the alignment tool bottomed out in the coupler.

 

[Grub54891]

Once you get the bar in the coupler completely, what I did was make a paint mark on the shaft with red paint. Next time you are checking it, if the bar goes in completely and easily, you are good to go.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Misinterpretation? He said if it bottoms out in the gimble bearing. I think he meant the coupler. Going in one inch isn't aligned. I've seen a few that were at different shops that were serviced and claimed things were fine, but they were not.

What happens is my alignment bar bottoms out on the actual gimbal bearing going into the coupler about an inch and 1/4, maybe I have the wrong bar. Anyhow I'll see if the sterndrive goes on today. I'll advise.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Basically, that first "step" of the alignment tool should seat fully into the coupler so it should be able to go in about 2 inches or so. If it doesn't go that far, then it's not aligned.

My bar goes in about an inch and a quarter into the coupler. It then bottoms out at the gimbal bearing.

 

[Grub54891]

Let's see your bar. post a pic.

 

[nola mike]

My bar goes in about an inch and a quarter into the coupler. It then bottoms out at the gimbal bearing.

What do you mean by "bottoms out"? Binding is an entirely different thing, if that's what's happening.

 

[Dubed]

What do you mean by "bottoms out"? Binding is an entirely different thing, if that's what's happening.

All I can think of, he has a shoulder on the alignment tool thats bottomimg on the bearing before it enters fully into the coupler. Isnt there a picture with dimensions of the correct tool floating around? Maybe in the stickies

 

[alldodge]

All I can think of, he has a shoulder on the alignment tool thats bottomimg on the bearing before it enters fully into the coupler. Isnt there a picture with dimensions of the correct tool floating around? Maybe in the stickies

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

If the shaft only goes in one inch, you are only managing to insert the tapered end till it binds. The entire process is meant to align the gimbal bearing with the Coupler so the shaft, bearing, and Coupler are on one plane. If they aren't aligned and you manage to force your outdrive on, you better order a new coupler

Your 100% Correct. I was mislead by my local boat shop. We had to raise the ingine at least half an inch for the alignment. The bar went all the way in perfectly....

Tommorw I will try installing the sterndrive... I tried installing the drive today after the alignment, but it was a little difficult for me as I'm a newbie at this, and besides I screwed up the sterndrive gasket. So tomorrow is another day, after I get another gasket replacement I'll give it another shot.

 

[Dubed]

Your 100% Correct. I was mislead by my local boat shop. We had to raise the ingine at least half an inch for the alignment. The bar went all the way in perfectly....

Tommorw I will try installing the sterndrive... I tried installing the drive today after the alignment, but it was a little difficult for me as I'm a newbie at this, and besides I screwed up the sterndrive gasket. So tomorrow is another day, after I get another gasket replacement I'll give it another shot.

I always have 2 gasket sets on hand when I r&r sterndrive. Just incase

 

[nola mike]

I always have 2 gasket sets on hand when I r&r sterndrive. Just incase

You only keep 2 on hand?

 

[Dubed]

You only keep 2 on hand?

Haha! There's always a couple [deleted] down the street if needed

 

[alldodge]

You only keep 2 on hand?

Haha! There's always a couple at [deleted] down the street if needed

Like you should need more then one