Mercruiser Engine Alignment

N

newDIYer

Seaman
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
61
I just replaced the transom, stringers and floor in my boat. Thus I had to remove the engine. 1972 Mercruiser 140 with type I stern drive, of which I also replaced the gimble bearing. I borrowed the engine aligment tool from my local boat shop.<br /><br />I have adjusted the engine, front A arm type adjustment only as rear mounts to the transom plate, and the tool slides into the engine about 1 to 1 1/2 inches easily, indicated by the spline impression left in the grease I applied to the end of the tool. How far should the tool slide into the engine? Am I good to go or do I need to do more adjusting?<br /><br />Thanks for any help!
 
O

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Mercruiser Engine Alignment

Your about halfway there...normal spline depth is about 3 inches....keep going...
 
B

Blue Thunder

Cadet
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
29
Re: Mercruiser Engine Alignment

As ODD1 said.. the tool needs to go further. You should be able to easily bottom the tool and rotate it using index finger and thumb only. One thing to watch is that the gimbal bearing is self aligning. If it is not perfectly straight, you can be tricked into thinking your engine is out of alignment. What I do is insert the tool into the coupler as far as it will go (easily) and with a dead blow hammer, hit the end of the tool with the hammer in all 4 directions (down, up right, eft) . Do not hit the end of the tool to drive it into the coupler!!! Just around the axis of the tool to help align the bearing in the housing. The tool must not be driven it, it must slide in easily.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />BT :cool:
 
O

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Mercruiser Engine Alignment

AAAAHHHH, BT...the sound of spring...the 4 way whack tryin for a 2 finger slider...LOL....
 
N

newDIYer

Seaman
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
61
Re: Mercruiser Engine Alignment

I think you are right in that my gimble is out of alignment because I moved the motor up and down a long way and did not get any better results with the tool sliding in. I will borrow the tool again and do some more adjusting. Can't wait for spring to do some boating. I just received my upholstery back from the shop and the boat is starting to take shape. Thanks to everyone for all of the advice.
 
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