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re-mounting strut/aligment method

B

bobct

Advanced Contributor
I just picked up my strut and it wasn't off enough for the shop to "tweak" it to one side. So, I'm going to fill the holes and then re-drill them.

Is there any reason NOT to leave the shaft in place and use that as my guide to get it centered in the shaft log and strut? The only downside I see is the weight but my plan was to use a bottle jack with a wood platform and small bracing attached to support it. I know piano wire is the normal method (or laser) but this would save me removing the coupling and shaft.

Plus, with the shaft in place it seems to be almost foolproof as I'll able to really see it. If I went with wire/laser and did something wrong, I wouldn't know until it was all back together.

Mark, I saved something you posted last year on how to do this but I need to dig it up. I think the overall idea is to have the shaft lose, centered in the shaft log and centered in the cutless bearing. Then deal with the engine alignment after the fact....

Bob
 
So Your strut is ok and you are just gonna relocate it's thru bolt holes to optimize its alignment? if Yes, then you are on the right path. I'd set the coupler flanges so the pilot seats (maintain centerline) but so it moves a bit, as long as the engine alignment is close. if it isn't, or if it is suspect, just center the shaft in the stuffing box tube (log), with the gland removed, and shim it with something so it can't shift. Then get the strut located. Then get the engine aligned (ideally with the shims still keeping the shaft centered in the stuffing box tube). And then make sure you verify the last step after launch and you should be good to go. Shaft alignment is 'real good' when you can rotate it by hand, smoothly, for several revolutions with no variation.
 
ok, sounds like I'm on the right track. Yes, I'm going to relocate the 6 mounting bolts, every so slightly so that the shaft is more centered in bearing. The strut itself is fine and the cutless bearing is brand new today. The alignment is actually spot on right now and I ran all last year w/o any vibration. So, it'll be off as much as the shaft winds up moving in the process.

I noticed last year the engine was further over on the mount compared to the other side (forget what they call that part of the mount that the engine slides on). This will help get it more centered.

Thanks for confirming that doing this with the shaft installed is ok... off to make a mount for my jack.


Bob
 
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