Engine Install

FreeBeeTony

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Got the engine installed on Sunday.
Surprisingly enough my measurements for the front mounts were pretty close
I went to install my alignment bar and I don't even think I got into the coupler at all.
Didn't want to push it so I walked away for the day.
Does this mean I am that far off. Need to find out if I am too high or low first I guess.
Will try again tonight weather permitting.
 

Scott Danforth

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I found that looking into the gimble area gives me a good idea on how I need to smack the alignment bar to hit the coupler initially.
 

FreeBeeTony

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So should I give the alignment bar a smack initially?

NOTE: I installed the new bushings w/o the spring washer and dropped the front mounting bolts 0.25".
 

tpenfield

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So should I give the alignment bar a smack initially?

NOTE: I installed the new bushings w/o the spring washer and dropped the front mounting bolts 0.25".

You need to install the rear mount with all of the pieces as it was meant to be, or else you will not be able to get the alignment tool to mate with the coupler. The front mounts just gets the engine on the same 'plane' as the alignment tool would like it to be.
 

FreeBeeTony

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I was able to get a 3/4" pc copper tubbing in...…...think the front is too low....
 

achris

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...NOTE: I installed the new bushings w/o the spring washer .....

Are these the new style mounts designed to be installed without the double wound washer?

'Smacking' the alignment bar is NOT hitting it into the coupler, it's hitting it at the end, on the sides. That's to try to align the gimbal bearing to the coupler, so the alignment bar will slide in.

I use a torch ('Flashlight' in 'Merica) to look through the gimbal bearing and at the splines of the coupler. That can give you a really accurate idea of which way and how far you need to move the front mounts. Remember to move port and starboard mounts the same amount. If you don't, you'll be putting an uneven load across the inner transom plate. Not good.

Chris........
 

FreeBeeTony

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Yes, the bushings installed were the new kind w/o the spring washer.
What if you're from left to right?
I really need help here......alignment bar is not penetrating coupler!!
 
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achris

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...What if you're from left to right?...

Shouldn't be able to happen. If the alignment is out left to right, something else is off. The transom might be uneven (thicker on one side), or the flywheel cover is not seated properly, or the coupler is damaged.

Chris......
 

alldodge

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The transom might be uneven (thicker on one side), or the flywheel cover is not seated properly, or the coupler is damaged.

Or one side of the motor mounts are lower/Higher then the other
 

FreeBeeTony

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I will try again tonight.
I put a 4X4 across the gunnels and attached a chain......probably raised it ~0.5".........is that too much.
Being I can't get the tool to penetrate the coupler at all is making it more difficult.
How can I tell if I'm too high or too low?
 

Lou C

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Tony is it possible to get someone on the bilge, maybe they can see the tool where it should enter the coupler to see if too high or low? not sure if you can see or get to where the tool comes through the gimble housing on a Merc, On the OMC, I can just see a tiny bit of the driveshaft if I get all the way back there.

Other idea put some easily seen grease like OMC/Evinrude triple guard (blue stuff) on the end of the tool, slide it in and then with a bright LED flashlight look at the coupler and see where the grease shows up...that might help....
 

FreeBeeTony

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This is where the 8" long piece of 1" round stock comes in handy

This was the best advise of all.............
I found a 1" shower curtain rod and it went in all the way and showed me I needed to raise the front of the engine.
I am now very close and will make final adjustments tomorrow.

Thanks scoflaw for the tip!
 

FreeBeeTony

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Getting VERY frustrated....I can get the bar all the way in and it seems to have spline marks all around, but it's not easy going in or coming out.

This video is very similar to how my alignment bar goes in/out.
Obviously not 2 fingers.........is this OK?

Any suggestions?
 
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FreeBeeTony

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OK.......think I'm done.
Got the bar to go all the way in with marks on all sides, still a bit tight but don't think it will get any better.
Bolts tightened.........on to the next project.
 

AShipShow

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Is there a lot of grease in the coupler? If you have a bunch of grease packed in there, it can create an air tight seal which can make it hard to push the alignment bar in... If the splines are all even then you should be pretty close. also might want to try whacking the alignment bar up/down/left/right lightly and recheck.
 

alldodge

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My guess is you have one side higher/lower then the other. Checking the height of the motor mounts and seeing that they are both the same has little to do with the actual level of the motor. The rear motor mounts is what determines level.

Your close and probably will be OK, but there is some extra effort needed to remove from what I see in the vid. Each time the bar goes all the way end, take your hand and smack the bar all around, on all sides. This centers the bearing the the coupler.

Suggest work 1/4 turn on one side only until it starts to get worst, then go the other direction. Find the best place, then do the same on the other side.
 
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