First and foremost the bar should be able to go in by pushing with 2 fingers (pretty easy). Removing the bar should be easy as well
Same number of turns is best for new installs. The rear motor mounts are snugged up while the motor hangs form the thermostat housing. Lower nuts are adjusted up so they touch on both sides even, then motor is lowered the rest of the way on the front mounts.
Adjustments from checking alignment need to be done based on visual appearance. If the marks are dead center top and bottom, then both go up/down evenly. But IF the marks are a bit off to one side, then one mount may need to move ore then the other, or only one needs to be moved
You can start from scratch and lift the motor from the thermostat housing as previously mentioned, but can also do it by feel and visual. By feel means a lot of in/out of the boat.
Again if its tighter now then it was, one or both have gone to far.
Only other way is to have a special tool to help 91-863372
It slides on the bar and goes against the bell. You can then see which way the mounts need to move