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Salty87
10-02-2008, 09:32 AM
some decent info at this site:
http://www.elberts.com/faq.htm#q20

SC sent me this alignment procedure (thanks Brian):


Shaft Alignment Procedure



Completion of this work should take less than 1 hour .

Tools Required:

Phillips Screw driver

2-9/16" wrenches

Torque Wrench

Feeler Gauge Set

Object:

Align the Engine coupler to the Shaft coupler with less that .002 gap.

Removing the Interior:

Remove the motor box and rear seat.
Remove the rear center floor.
You should now be able to see the Shaft Coupler/Transmission Coupler Interface.

Removing the Bolts:

Locate the Shaft Coupler/Transmission Coupler Interface.
You will see four bolts holding the two couplers together.
Using two 9/16 wrenches loosen the nuts from the bolts.
Once the bolts are removed check the following:
The grade marking on the head of the bolt should read "S30400".
They should be a 3/8-24 X 1 -" Stainless Steel bolts.
Look for wear or damage.
If the bolts are incorrect or are damaged replace them!

Once the bolts are out the coupler should naturally want to match up with out any pressure. At this point do a shaft alignment.

Aligning the Engine:


Holding the two couplers together, take a feeler gauge set and see if a .005 gauge feeler will slide between the couplers at any point around the circumference. Be sure to run the feeler all the way around. If it will slip between the couplers go to step 2. If it does not slip between the couplers go to step 4.

Next, spin the shaft coupler 180 degrees. Holding the two couplers together, again, take a feeler gauge set and see if a .005 gauge feeler will slide between the couplers at any point around the circumference. Be sure to run the feeler all the way around. It should slip between the couplers at the same point as it did in step I, if it does slip in the same spot, go to step three. If it slips between the coupler at a point 180 degrees for where it did last time examine shaft for damage (it may be bent) and examine the coupler for damage. If no damage is found, repeat steps 1 and two.

Too close a gap between the couplers the engine will need to be moved slightly.

If the gap is at the 12 O'clock position you will need to raise the front of the engine or lower the back of the engine. To do this (using the rear feet): loosen the jam nuts on the rear feet. Then put a wrench on the tops and turn it counterclockwise. Make sure to count the turns and turn both the right and left feet equal amounts. This will lower the back of the engine and close the gap. If you went too far you will open a gap at the bottom. When using the rear feet to make adjustments, be sure not to lower or raise the shaft & coupler out of its "natural" position. For major angular movements (were you need to move the engine 2-3 thousand) use the front feet for the majority of the movement, then fine tune with the rear mounts.


If the Gap is at the 3 O'clock position you will need to slide the front or rear of the engine over. To do this, loosen the nuts on the trunnion pins. Then tap the trunnion pin lightly to back it off and loosen them from the trunnions. This will allow the engine to be moved side to side. Using a pry bar, push the front of the engine more starboard to close the gap. If you push it to you will create a gap at the 9 O'clock position.

If the gap is between the 1 and 2 0' clock position, you may be able to get the gap closed by lowering the left rear foot only.

Keep repeating these steps till a 0.005 feeler gauge will not fit between the couplers at any point. Be sure that the shaft remains in the its natural position so that you do not cause premature shaft packing wear or strut bushing wear. Once you have gotten the engine aligned to within 0.005 repeat the above steps until the engine alignment is within 0.002.

Make sure to lock down all the jam nuts on the engine feet and the trunnion pins on the trunnions.

Recheck the engine alignment after the jam nuts and trunnion pins have been tightened. If it is still within tolerance you may proceed.

Reinstalling the Bolts:
Install the bolts (3/8-24 x 1 " S30400) through the couplers and install the 3/8-24 Nylock Stainless Nut.
Torque the bolts to 25-30 Ft Lbs.
Double check that the jam nuts on the engine and the cotter pins on the trunnions are tight.
Double check that the shaft coupler bolts are torqued to 25-30 Ft Lbs.

Replacing and Adjusting the Shaft Packing.

Replace the shaft packing. Be sure to install two or three pieces.
Loosen the jam nut on the shaft-packing gland.
Back the gland nut off the packing gland assembly.
Dig out all the old packing material.
For a one inch shaft, cut two to three pieces of 1/4"dia. packing material strips so they are 4 1/8". Place one of the packing strips into the packing nut. The end should butt together. Place another piece in the packing nut, this time orienting the seam 180 degrees from the seam of the first piece.
Slide the packing nut up the shaft.
Slide the shaft through the Packing gland assembly and into the strut.
Screw the packing nut onto the packing gland assembly. Tighten it up as much as possible by hand. Then using a wrench, turn the nut a 1/2 a turn forward and a 1/4 turn back. Then turn the nut a 1/2 a turn forward and a 1/4 turn back. Then turn the nut a ½ a turn forward and a 1/4 turn back. This will pack the packing fairly tight.
Back the packing nut off the assembly again. Then thread it back on. Tighten it only as tight as you can get it using your hands. This should be almost the perfect tightness for the packing gland so that it does not leak, yet not too tight so that the packing burns up.
Tighten the Lock Nut up to the Packing Gland Nut.

If you want to add the third piece of packing, do so when you back the nut off after you packed the packing. Then tighten the nut only as tight as you can get it using your hands. This should be almost the perfect tightness for the packing gland so that it does not leak, yet not too tight so that the packing burns up.
3/16” PACKING FOR V DRIVE

¼” PACKING FOR DIRECT DRIVE
Ideally, you want 1 drop of water every 30-45 seconds when the boat is in gear at idle. (Be sure the boat is in the water)

DKJBama92Mariah
10-02-2008, 12:31 PM
Very cool info. Thanks Brian and Salty. Was thinking about driving it over to a boatyard and having it aligned but I guess I'll give it a shot myself.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 09:12 AM
This is great but what are the signs that your shaft may be out of alignment. Just pulled my trans and reinstalled. Not sure if I should be doing this but if you ingauge it in gear and give it a little gas, around 2500-3000 rpm i get a little popping from the shaft area. Keep in mind that its not in the water just hooked up to the hose.

Salty87
05-12-2009, 09:24 AM
if you're just hooking things back up you need to use the feeler gauge between the coupler and the transmission.

is that popping with the shaft installed? if so, did you get the strut bushing wet first? is the noise inside the boat or nearer the prop?

i'll rev the engine on the hose sometimes but i avoid engaging the transmission. there's alot of difference between running it under normal load vs the hose.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 09:31 AM
I will definatley try the feeler gauge procedure when i get home, Im not to big on the terminology about the parts. It sounds like its coming from the inside of the boat. I still have access to everything,havent put the back seat back in or the piece that covers the shaft. Im not quite understanding what needs to be wet.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 09:49 AM
Also,on the inside of the boat there was a rubber boot clamped down to the fiberglass and some sort of coupler that slid onto the shaft. this coupler had quite a bit of slack in it (wobbled around on the shaft). I went ahead and clamped it back the way it was. Is this rubber boot suppose to be full of grease?

Salty87
05-12-2009, 09:50 AM
inside the strut under the boat, there's a rubber bushing. lake water normally lubricates it. running it dry will wear the bushing out and could score the shaft. it could cause noises too.

Salty87
05-12-2009, 09:55 AM
that's a dripless shaft seal. i have one, they're nice to have.

there's no grease required. the collar on the shaft should be positioned so that it compresses the rubber boot by 1/4" or so. the pressure of the collar against the boot prevents water from entering the boat. the face of the collar is machined so that it seals against the face of the boot while the collar spins with the shaft.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 10:18 AM
Mine had a steel collar with 2 set screws and then behind that it had some sort of plastic collar that appeared to be worn out. So the rubber sleeve should clamp to the worn out coupling and the steel one with the set screws should compress the sleeve 1/4 of an inch.

Salty87
05-12-2009, 10:50 AM
yeah, or...

the steel collar with 2 set screws attaches to the shaft compressing the rubber boot.
the rubber boot is attached to the fiberglass hull with hose clamps.
inside the rubber boot is a plastic collar that's also attached with hose clamps (going from memory here).

the face of the steel collar and the face of the plastic collar should be smooth. they may not look great because they spin against each other but they should be smooth to the touch.

the dripless shaft seal is made by PSS... http://www.shaftseal.com/categories

i bought a replacement rubber boot from them a few years ago. they were very helpful.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 10:56 AM
Your awesome dude. One more question, I had my steering system replaced this winter and it still feels hard to turn, is this common or should I be looking at things to lube while I have it apart. Thanks.

Salty87
05-12-2009, 11:01 AM
glad i can help

you should look for grease zerks on the rudder and also the arm near the rudder that the steering cable attaches to.

load them up good (marine grease) then turn the steering wheel back and forth a few times, all the way both directions.

then go back to the grease zerks and clean up the excess mess that pushed back out the zerks.

that will hopefully do it, good luck.

86supraproject
05-12-2009, 01:04 PM
Will check it out as soon as I get off work, are those labs. I have a yellow that is wild. Thought I would get him for a boat dog but he hates water.

Salty87
05-12-2009, 01:13 PM
yeah, we don't go out without them. they almost like the water too much.