Alignment question

[Rich (P303)]

I have a “Drive Saver” (+/- 1” rubber or plastic spacer) between the transmission and coupler flange on the propeller shaft. Question... should the engine be aligned with or without the Drive Saver in place? I can align the mess without the drive saver... but who's to say the drive saver is the same thickness all the way around when I install? I am thinking of just removing the Drive Saver and ending the discussion (boat came with drive saver). I have a Yanmar 2GMFW. What say you?

 

[Delezynski]

Rich,

We have a drive saver on Guenevere. Over the years I have moved from not having one at all, to using a Yanmar one to the one I now have. You can see my write-up on it during our yearly gear reports (first one at; http://www.svguenevere.com/2005/gear.html ).

With the Yanmar one you HAD to remove it to do an alignment. And that is the best way to go about it. The thing I like the best about our current one, the outstanding feature is that red bolt head that allows me to check the alignment without removing it. It's so easy I do a check every 6 months or so.

From our view, it makes motoring a bit smoother also and I feel better prepared in case my prop hits an object in the water. I am happy enough with it that we carry a spare with us.

Greg
Standard disclaimer, just a happy user.

 

[jviss]

Saving from what?

 

[Alec]

The Drivesaver supposedly reduces wear on the transmission bearing from a small amount of misalignment. I believe it is also supposed to "breakaway" if your prop hits something thereby preventing engine/transmission damage.

Before removing it altoghether I would check the clearance between the aft end of your cutlass bearing and your prop. I understand from previous threads that you should have a distance equal to one shaft diameter between them. One of the reasons is to allow good water flow to the cutlass bearing for lubrication.