Engine alignment

[McDog]

OK, so last summer I researched the threads on how to align my engine after replacing a shredded coupler. The info I found all said that I needed to align the coupler with the dampener out so that it wouldn't be affected by the dampener. Then to lock the engine adjustment bolts down and leave them, pull the engine by unbolting the engine mounts from the hull, replace the dampener, reattach the engine mounts to the hull, and viola it's done. Now on the "how to get a b-pipe coupler on" thread everyone seems to be poo-pooing this technique saying it is wrong.

Two questions:

1. Where were you guys on the threads I researched in the summer? Maybe only reading threads in the general section? Well here is your thread in the general section.

2. What, pray tell, is THE correct way to align your engine after it is pulled?

I really just want to know the proper way to do it, so I don't have any problems later. It is frustrating to spend an entire evening searching through old threads to learn something, only to find out after you did it that you were wrong. We really need to add to the TECH faq on a lot of subjects.

 

[GIL]

Right or wrong-here is how I do it

mounts tight, 4 bolts loose, dampner in, be sure after all done there is a 1/8 to 1/4 gap between coupler 1/2's. Slide motor left and right to get it centered and then play shim game for my up and down. Use a BRIGHT light so u can see and feel the same gap top, bottom, left, and right. Have not had ANY problems yet. Hope this helps.
Gil

 

[Big Kahuna]

nope Gil.
your partially correct. Keep in mind there are several ways to do this.

-mount all motor mounts.
-remove donut from coupler.
-install engine with 4 bolts installed but not tight.
-check if the engine coupler is level with the intermediate shaft coupler. if it is lower then you need to shim the motor up by placing shims between the bedplates and the motor mounts.
- when the engine is level with the couplers, use a micrometer or calipers and measure the distance across the top of the couplers and at the bottom. if the bottom is wider than the top remove the shims at the front of the motor until they are the same distance apart and still level with each other.
- now is where it can get tricky, you need to use the micrometer or calipers and measure left and right. if they are off see if you have enough wiggle room to just shift the engine over enough. if you cannot, you may need to adjust the actual motor mounts or play with different thickness of shims at each mount to coax the engine over until it is true, straight and plumb on all 3 axis.
- once this is all done, remove the shims and mark them. install rubber donut and reinstall shims, and check left to right alignment again.