Checking alignment

[gride]

Im not experiencing any cavitation/vibrations, but it's been about 200 hours since my last alignment. Should I have my engine, shaft, etc checked? If so, anyone have a an idea of what this costs?

[TRBenj]

You mean, what it would cost to take it to a dealer and have them do it?

[gride]

Ya. It's going to get the perfect pass fixed and thought I my as well, but also thought I may wait if it's expensive& I'm not having issues. To the naked eye the shaft looks straight and is equidistant from the cutlass bearing.

[TRBenj]

Ya. It's going to get the perfect pass fixed and thought I my as well, but also thought I may wait if it's expensive& I'm not having issues. To the naked eye the shaft looks straight and is equidistant from the cutlass bearing.

Im thinking you might not understand the concept of how to align the powertrain.

Check out CCFan, theres a great video on the procedure. Once you understand the concept, its pretty simple. You can chase it around for a little while, but its not rocket surgery- especially on a direct drive.

You need to unbolt the couplings to determine how well they line up, by the way. And then you need to get them aligned within 0.003". If you can see that by eye, then you have incredible vision!

[gride]

I have a good idea of how everything works. I don't have a tool or two that's needed, but I also don't feel like doin it in 90+ degree heat on a v drive. In short, would I beijing at $100 or closer to $200-300?

[DanielC]

This is not scientific, but may give you a good Idea. If the shaft alignment is good, there are no stresses on the propeller shaft, and it will turn easy.
If after running your boat, and the transmission is still warm, the propeller shaft will turn pretty easily. Go under your boat, and spin the propeller by hand. Does the propeller turn freely, or does it seem to drag? Does it turn easily on one part of the shaft revolution and tighter on the other. If the propeller has a lot of drag, or it changes as you rotate the propeller through a full circle, the alignment needs some attention. Be careful with Acme Propellers, especially new ones, the edges are very sharp.

[gride]

Thanks. I'll definitely try that tomorrow.

[TRBenj]

If the propeller has a lot of drag, or it changes as you rotate the propeller through a full circle, the alignment needs some attention.

Gotta disagree with you there. If the amount of drag changes as you rotate it, then the shaft is bent! Misalignment will not cause vibration- it will simply put a constant load on one side, wearing the cutless bearing and transmission internals.

On direct drives that are properly aligned, the prop should spin easily with one finger. I doubt a v-drive would add a noticeable amount of extra resistance. If it takes a hand, or even worse, 2 hands to spin the prop, then thats a sign you have issues.

If you were properly alinged a few hundred hours ago, its doubtful that you need to re-do it. But do a sanity check as described above.