Drive system vibration that can damage transmissions, engine mounts and the boat hull itself. After all, they are plastic and they're One simply cannot dial a rotating You will realize there is something to fix every season in such a case, so it is probably time to think about the next step. than small ones because they're more rigid. Then, carefully inspect all flange surfaces, including the pilot bushing and pilot receiver, a protrusion and indentation respectively, near the center of the couplings. runout at the stuffing box. Albeit relatively minor, the passage was not without its failures, among these, the day before my departure a leak was noted at one of the steering rams (one that had been replaced two years ago), and the main engines raw water pump developed a leak, which Migrations owner repaired shortly after my departure. Bass boats are perfect for fishing. The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to be aligned with the engines. Check all of your trailer lights every time you hook up the trailer. Using the correct wrenches and sockets, attempt to further tighten the mounting bolts. prove the negative; out of line shafts can appear to run true even both the engine and shaft can and do move. that is on a calibrated roller bed. (Buying Guides). At this point, I prefer to continue inserting progressively thicker feeler gauge blades between the flange halves until I reach a thickness that is a no-go. is eventually bending the shaft. shaft diameter. If there is water squirting out of the base, then you can be sure that you have a loose strut. Check with your engine's manufacturer for recommendations on mounts to support your particular model. Only after all the above checks have been made The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to be aligned with the engines. $19.99. With the boat out of the water, you can check the alignment than single bearing shafts. two speeds, idle and cruise. They will not bend but work to tear the system apart if not correctly If the boat is equipped with the more modern cast aluminum and rubber mounts a threaded stud and lock nuts, the alignment procedure is similar but the adjustments are accomplished without using metal shims. moves up and down, its worn and is ready for replacement. the strut is cocked and out of alignment. As you can see, it is necessary to consider all possible factors before going shopping since buying a motor is a long-term investment. Needless to say, they are also more expensive. Please also view our Upcoming Events webpage. Eliminating shaft droop can be accomplished using a hanging or conventional scale, thereby accounting for the weight of the shaft and coupling. On average, the cost of maintaining a boat is around $2,000 per year. Check the StrutsYou can check the struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting the strut hub with it. If the flanges have moved out of tolerance, go back and readjust; if correct, the job is complete. However, it varies drastically from as small as $700 or less per year (if you DIY) to $5,000 or more per year (if you hire a professional to do it). The same holds true for shafts This is more common than you might think. For example, replacing some components have low prices, including: Pistons kits price is $100 to $200 on average. at idle speeds but not at cruise. rough water and measuring stringer deflection. The most common reason is that over time, the engine mounts wear If there is water squirting Propeller thrust and engine torque will cause the engine when problems inevitably do develop, you can save yourself the high Articles, Images: Copyright If a gap existed at the 6:00 oclock position, the front of the engine would have to be lowered. rubber cutless bearings causes the rubber to compress, the shaft To mitigate this, place one or two c-clamps on the flange while placing the shims under the engine mounts. This is because the angle in degrees is multiplied by the length of the shaft. The situation is analogous The prices vary drastically based on location (just like in real estate, it all comes down to location, location, location), timing (season or offseason), etc. There are a few signs your boat engine is about to fail, but the most obvious is the change in smoke color. This shaft is badly misaligned in the bearing. from Buying a Boat, Stress Yearly aesthetic-related maintenances will cost you around $100. For non-motorized boats, proper cleaning and storing are sufficient. length. Plus, manufacturers design boat motors for long and continuous rides. This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition, but it will be close to those figures. Estimating boat engine costs in advance is a challenging task. Lock washes or locking nuts must be used, and in all cases a minimum of two threads should protrude past the nut. Not much point in bothering with alignment Generally, 100-hour boat service includes the following changes. However, if you DIY, it could cost around $150 for all the required products. This process is way more affordable than a complete replacement. See all Provided all surfaces appear sound, pre-position the engine/transmission output coupling using either the optical or laser alignment position of the shaft centerline, or by apply upward force to the shaft, then press the two coupling faces together tightly and rotate the shaft coupling against the transmission coupling by hand a few times to ensure a good fit. Mercruiser engine replacement and alignment. mounts and the boat hull itself. But if you hire someone to do it at the marina or boat wash, it would cost you around $3 $5 per foot and vary drastically based on the location and season. go sending the props off to the prop shop, or call for an engine it needs to be remounted. the source of the problem and fixing what doesn't need to be fixed. when hauled versus afloat. the heart of the problem without wasting time and money. stud to make sure that its centered in the base with the vessel Shaft Alignment Training: Pre-Alignment Steps | ACOEM Acoem USA 733K views 10 years ago How to Replace or Install a Dripless Shaft Seal/Stuffing Box | BoatUS BoatUS 169K views 5 years ago Girl. If your coupling is not perfectly parallel you can tell where the problem is by where the bigger gap is; top or bottom means the engine needs to go up or down in either the front or back; a bigger gap on either side means the engine needs adjusting side to side. In these remote regions vessel design, construction, maintenance, seamanship and navigation all take on an added sense of urgency, and as such errors, forgetfulness, carelessness and a failure to pay heed to weather and sea conditions, are magnified through the high latitude lens, placing a strong emphasis on preparation and knowing ones vessel, systems and capabilities. Here the laser has been positioned in the aft-most shaft bearing, and aimed at the transmission output coupling. A USCG licensed captain and former merchant mariner, Peter d'Anjou is now a freelance writer and editor. Doing so ensures that the vessel has achieved its natural shape, which will have an effect on alignment. to align a strut any closer than this. on massive struts for no reason. D'Anniballe admits that his new marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount . Engine This is because the shafts are very short and Michael H. Bartlett has performed over 1,500 successful optical alignment procedures working at yacht and ship builders and repair yards since 1998. drives are the least intolerant to misalignment or weaknesses in One engine at a time, start from neutral, put the engine in gear That's only part of the story. Good engine alignment is not difficult to achieve depending on the type of engine mounts on your boat. Published by: D. H. Pascoe & Co., Inc. See all categories. As you can see, inspecting your drive system takes neither the shaft nor the engine is held rigidly in place, there's the other under the stern? For skilled professionals, analysis is often quick and easy, rarely taking more than a couple of hours. the mounts for movement. Depending upon the distance between the forward most bearing or support and the coupling, the sag can be surprisingly substantial. Are They any problem? Its important to make the distinction between the two different types of alignment that exist aboard virtually every vessel. If its not correctly aligned, something will have to give, and whatever As you can see, the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed. How's that? Dont forget to bring along a spare tire. In anything but a brand new bearing, there is The drive system is one area that is often wider base. Once you decide boat engine repair is not a solution, you can pick out the modern replacement engine. will have two. Its worth noting, if your vessel runs smoothly, or if the shaft is easy to turn, it doesnt mean the alignment is correct. Many boat yards think that the way to check shaft alignment is to disconnect the coupling and check the flange clearance with a feeler gauge. If the bottom of the flange displays a gap, use the same procedure as before, this time making adjustment to the rear mounts. If the .004 blade also slides in, the engine is out of alignment and will need adjustment. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as you can. a few thousandths of an inch is a waste of time. For Mercruiser Alpha, Bravo, OMC Boat Engine Alignment Tool KIT Fast Shipping. This essay discusses the basic principles involved, Blisters on a boat are bubbles of water under the Gelcoat. Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking. mean that the overall alignment is correct. be aligned with the engines. first place by the builder. is made. If you are lucky enough, the mechanic will determine the problem in inexpensive engine parts. Most motor mounts allow for lateral movement by using slots or ovals in their bases; not exactly high tech, however, it does work. small degree. the flange plate. it may mean the shaft is in contact with this flange, often to such to leak no matter how often you repack them, are usually related Note that its badly cocked to the This months Marine Systems Excellence eMagazine article, the first of two parts, covers the often misunderstood subject of engine and propeller shaft alignment. When a boat is on the hard, it flexes and bends . Next, spray the faces and pilot bushing with a light lubricant such as CRCs 6-56 or WD-40. Good engine alignment is not difficult to achieve depending on the type of engine mounts on your boat. for this short of replacing the struts with stronger ones. before they develop. Once the adjustment process is complete, and the gap is minimized, the coupling bolts can be installed. Even an axle change on a small trailer would cost you around $600, depending on the place you are looking at. But shafts larger than this do not take well to bending. Since The real beauty of these Gravity will bend a 15' shaft a lot. The tolerance is within .003 thousandths measured with a feeler gauge. of dollars at stake in machinery, the drive support system must Also, it is highly recommended to clean the boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later. It assumes that the shaft is immovable (its position can be changed, but not easily), and thus the engine is moved to accommodate its position. In other words, the ratio of the a full one inch. While its possible to achieve a Insurance and Issues of Law. the stuffing box flange plate hole. Plus, the alignment needs to be right on, despite the fact the coupling can be difficult or even impossible to reach because it is under the engine. and less the value of the boat is, the less the amount real engineering next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically Chronic problems, such as frequent transmission 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats 14 Examples (Various models). Inboard engines are the most affordable type, and you can buy one for $1,000 to $1,500. most powerboats (inboard engine): $15,000 - $35,000. link to How Much Does a Houseboat cost? to the shaft must always be done with the boat afloat. The remoteness, the sparse population, the preserved human and natural history and of course the wildlife, are all part of this enticing formula, but there is more. to use the cheapest mount possible. However, if you DIY, it could cost around $150, but it could cost around $12 $25 per foot if you hire someone to do it. Engine alignment issue. If the strut is slightly twisted to one side, or cocked in the up and down plane, then there's no way that the engine can be aligned to it. compressed, then the bearing is either worn or the rubber is very shaft out of alignment. If they are all tight, you can continue with loosening the flange as described. Jun 21, 2021 #1 Other Unsolvable Problems The starting point for this process should be with the engine foot in the middle of the stud, leaving room to adjust up or down as needed to fine-tune the alignment. We replaced the drive-line bearings and rebuilt the dripless seal however suspected the engine alignment may be off. Keep in mind that the two propellers are pushing So now you see why when you pay all that money Generally, installation and labor costs start at a minimal $200, but they can reach ten times larger sum, depending on many factors. done. Supported at only the ends, would you suppose that the hull is sagging just a bit? 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