Boat Engine Alignment

iremoved out drive this past week when i tried to install alignment tool was way off. i finally got engine aligned, well now boat vibrates real bad . is it possible that my engine coupler is bad. i removed coupler but i dont know how to tell if it is bad.the motor is a omc v 6 and the out drive is a omc cobra. any heop would be great.thanks john

Do you mean the U-joint? Yeah, that could be bad.

Did you replace the gimbal bearing when the outdrive was off? That bearing could be bad.

Also, your alignment could be bad. When we put my boat back together last spring it was a bear to get that thing lined up. We were obsessive about the alignment, and it still might not be right, I had to put in a new gimbal bearing last fall.

2008-04-22 18:32:46 by John & Tracy M

I am a Port engineer for a tug company and need the boat u/w. The problem is not so much the propulsion shaft but the coupling on the main engine. I want to avoid moving the Main engines. Even a alignment company in Norfolk, Va or 200 mile radius would be helpful. Thanks

If you are that close to Norfolk, VA, then I'd seek help from any of the small yards in the area, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard since they would also do commercial work, and the Newport News Shipyard and Dry dock Company.
You might ask the Apprentice school at the Newport News Shipyard and Dry dock Company for assistance since they have done similar problems before in their courses of study.

2007-02-08 19:26:24 by Paul C

Driveshaft Housing Tools / Transom Assembly / Bearing Puller Plate
GLM Part Number: 90050; Sierra Part Number: 18-4442; Mercury Part Number: 91-805475A1

Ok, bought the 1986 Mach 1 Saturn II 10 years ago, sat a long time before I bought it. Took it to a shop, they got the motor running great (nothing wrong, just started up), cleaned tank, fixed up rest of boat. Ran fine... great for me.

3-4 years ago, while driving around, the boat just started to die, sometimes all at once, sometimes power went down slowly until it wanted to die. Moving throttle back and forth usually helped keep it going, and sometimes it started going just fine and got me back to shore.

This happened MANY times, but more of an annoyance than a full fledged problem because I could go out many times without it happening. As time went on, the problem has happened more and more. Finally, almost every time I go above 4500rpm.

I first thought a carb problem, so after screwing it up trying to play with it myself, i took it to a mechanic, and had it rebuilt. Put it back on, idles great (always did pretty good), but when i go hard, blam.. same problem.

Thought bad fuel, water in gas, or crap in tank etc. So I pulled fuel line off near engine, stuffed it in a small gas can, and took it for a ride. Same problem (so it's not bad fuel, or junk in tank, or water)!

Thought maybe coil was bad, so went and bought another, had to replace coil wire it was so corroded, broke it pulling it off. new coil and wire, SAME PROBLEM. Checked all other wires, pretty good shape. Again, boat can run beautiful sometimes. Had it idling at 3k for 30 minutes with no problems!

My only other hope is the fuel pump is going bad! (was going to get fuel pressure gauge and check for 9lbs ( is this right?)

Or

Guy rebuilding carb didn't do a good job fixing/replacing High speed jets. He supposedly let it soak for 2 days, said it was filthy. (lots of soot, one of my belts get shredded ever few years due to bad alignment or rusty pulley)

What do you guys think?


** 185HP V6 I/O Mercruiser Engine 1986 model. mechanical fuel pump, carberted electronic ignition, Runs great sometimes, but then has the problem here and there, inteinter-mittenblem (until recently when it's almost all the time.

3 years ago the gas companies had to add 10% alcohol to the fuel. This methanol fuel acts as a solvent and washes all and most everything in your fuel system directly into your carb. I would bet your high end jets are getting clogged by debris or water that has entered your fuel system through the vent in the gas tank. Also check the one way valve (anti siphon valve) between tank and fuel pump for malfunction

2010-07-29 21:52:19 by jay w

Price: $133.25 $136.50

I have got a Volvo Penta AQ145A petrol engine in the boat and the cambelt has broken. How do I replace it ensuring the timing is OK?
The camshaft and intermediate drive for the distributor have been moved out of alignment!

Michael, Your best bet will be to start by consulting a service repair manual. If you're having trouble finding a manual try ebay or try a general search for the volvo penta aq145a engine on yahoo. The manual will direct you how to properly disassemble, align the timing marks, install the new belt and reassemble the engine. It will be a difficult and time consuming project even for an experienced mechanic. Don't take it apart if you think you won't be able to put it back together because it will be much more difficult for someone else to finish it up. Good Luck!

2007-03-02 21:05:00 by Michael P

I am a marine technician recent grad of mmi. Looking for any suggestions to make the task of aligning a 350 chevy V-drive easier.I was told the best spec. was .002", and is this a two thousanths difference at all measurement points? Or is it a tolarance between say three points? when the engine was pulled I never changed any of the mount adjustments. The boat is in the water, and the engine was pulled to do some transmition work i guess time,patience and alot of adjusting will do it but i cant understand why it is out of alignment when I never changed any motor mount positions.

I answered this already????
Take the coupling apart insert 3 thou= feeler slide it around the coupling if it feels the same drag then it fine.if loose on 1 side or corner adj mounts to fit.then rotate the shaft 180 deg an trans an check again.If it's the same than your OK if not than adj again> If you can't align than shaft could have a bend in it >or a high spot on the coupling > there can not be any rust on the couplings face or adj will not be possible> I have spent as much as 3 hours to get it perfect. From 1 cyc 10 hp to 750hp 892 detroits. Have 3208 cats in my boat.Also if the cutlass bearing is warren or loose or it's been sitting for a long time with the trans out the weight of the shaft not supported will egg shape the cutlass bearing . Get it close an run for a while them align the shaft.An the boat needs to be in the water to get it correct>>Not on a trailer. Or dry dock?????

2007-08-26 05:52:45 by recoyle3