Horizontal Prop shaft Alignment

[duck21]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of updating my propshaft system (new Cutlass bearing, prop shaft, split coupler, flexible coupler, and Volvo dripless seal) on my 1996 Hunter 376.

My Cutlass bearing was worn hence kicking off this project, but I also noticed that the prop shaft was quite close to the shaft log (close enough that with a little pressure I could make it make contact). I'm guessing this is due to aged motor mounts, which I'll replace next season. In the mean time, I'm adjusting the mount nuts to raise the motor some to get better clearance through the log.

While going through that process this evening I was planning ahead as to how I would re-align things once I'm back in the water (after letting the hull settle, of course). I pulled the top motor bracket nut off expecting to see slots in the brackets where one could adjust the motor horizontally....but the bolt hole was the same size as the bolt not allowing for any play. The brackets are just that -- brackets bolted to the motor, with no ability to shift (that I could see).

This leads the question: when aligning the motor to the prop shaft on mid-90's Hunters how do you perform horizontal adjustments? Do I loosen the motor mounts where they attach to the hull? Am I just overlooking an adjustment point?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!
Doug

 

[JoeWhite]

I do not understand why you need to move the engine forward or backwards horizontally. You only need to make vertical adjustments. Assuming the propeller is touching to the bottom of the log, you would raise the engine by unscrewing all nuts the same number of turns.

 

[duck21]

Hi! My description may have not been accurate. When I say horizontal I mean side to side (finding the center between port and starboard, not forward to back). After getting the shaft raised up this evening I could see that it's not centered in the log. I'm assuming that it was centered when the boat was built, so things have probably shifted in the past 30 years. Of course, I'm still in the cradle, so maybe when the hull relaxes it'll be better setup. I'm just anticipating that it'll be off so trying to pre-plan what I'll need to do to re-align.

Looking at YouTube and other instructional info they all reference loosening the mounting nuts and shifting the motor to center things (usually using a 2x4 or pole of some sort as a lever). I'm just not seeing how to do that on this configuration.

Doug

I do not understand why you need to move the engine forward or backwards horizontally. You only need to make vertical adjustments. Assuming the propeller is touching to the bottom of the log, you would raise the engine by unscrewing all nuts the same number of turns.

 

[BigEasy]

There should be a slot in the engine mount base where the mount is attached to the FRP stringers. You can achieve a small amount horizontal/lateral movement by loosening all of the nuts/bolts that attach the mounts to the stringers. On my boat, the forward mounts have a slot on the forward end of base & rear mounts have a slot on the aft end of base. You may be unable to see the slots if large fender washers are in place.