Shaft Clearance

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:39 am

I just noticed that where my shafts pass through the stuffing boxes, I have very low clearance to the bottom of the stuffing box. One of those things that just doesn't look right. The Port side looks like this: [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Port_Shaft.jpg[/img] But, The Starboard is much worst: [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads ... _Shaft.jpg[/img] Every so often I hear a clanking when I'm at idle going through a harbor. I'm thinking this has got to be it. But how do you fix it? Is it as simple as elevating the engine with the motor mounts ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Justinf89 · Post by **Justinf89** » Sat May 09, 2009 5:36 pm

the only way that you could just elevate the motor itself is if it is like this in the strut also.

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sat May 09, 2009 5:42 pm

Rick, You can just raise the engine with the adjustments on the mounts but you will have to re-align the engine/shaft and while you have the shaft disconnected from the output flange you should turn the shaft by hand to make sure the shaft isn't binding on the cutlass bearing. It should turn easily in the position you are looking for. It's a pretty common problem to have the shafts low of center like yours and the only way to fix it is to re-align the whole ball of wax. Like I said, make sure the strut isn't pointing the shaft like that and it 's happy doing what you want. On my boat the port shaft wanted to be over toward the center of the boat so I had to tweak the strut a little bit to make it more relaxed in the center of the stuffing box.

otf · Post by **otf** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:19 am

If it's off that much in the shaft log, the actual stuffing box must have quite an angle on it. Amazing it doesn't cause leaks or scoring.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:16 am

Thanks Guys, It's not very easy for me to get to my coupling, but guess I'm going to have to. Might be an upcoming winter project. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:47 am

Yikes! I would follow Frank's suggestion if you are still on the hard. Center the shaft in the log. You have to be eating the cutlass bearing. If the strut needs to be aligned, it can be moved slightly by having someone that knows what they are doing bend it slightly. I had a old CC diesel boat and that is the only way to align it. The mounts were fixed. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC 2007 8.1 Crusaders

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:40 pm

OK Boys, anyone want to help me raise it up ? I'll do work, just need some supervision. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:06 pm

Rick, If I get any time this weekend I'll give you a call, though with my boat going in on Friday I don't know how much time I'll have.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:01 am

Thanks Frank, didn't log in this morning before I called. Guys, do you think the Port is OK or should that be re-adjusted too ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu May 14, 2009 4:27 am

I'm going to get a Frank Price tutorial on Aligning Shafts this Sunday. If anyone would like to observe, feel free to come by. I'm in Danversport. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:32 pm

Thank you Frank ! I don't have the pic's, but he got them aligned in the middle of the stuffing boxes, as perfect as you can imagine. Putting those bolts in was a bear, especially Port Side. I ripped all the exhaust hoses out of the way and got into the inverted, 270 degree twisted, up side down fetal postion to crank the wrenches. Not a pleasant ending but it did finally end. Can't wait to put it in forward. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:47 pm

You're welcome Rick. I think you're going to see a big improvement in smoothness.