WFO's engine alignment post??

[Inkaddict]

Does anyone know where this is... Ive used the "search" feature and cant find it... After 2 days of trying to get my engine perfectly aligned and 2 days searching for his post I figured it was time to ask for help. Thanks in advance for preventing more tools from being launched across my shop!

[Inkaddict]

Please... I know what the manual says on measuring point A and B. 5 shims came out when I pulled the engine..( No Im not sure what was where... I should have paid attention) 3 shims are 2mm and 2 shims are 1.10mm. I know that every mount had at least 1 shim. Im having a tuff time getting the engine to sit proper. I also read that WFO hooks the engine up with the bolt loose and taps the starter to get the engine to seat... I didn't want to do this without details.

[WFO]

-First install the pump/driveshaft and tighten the bolts.
-Then set the motor in the couplers (and rubber biscuit) and flat on the mounts.
-Then coat the bolt threads with anti-sieze or loctite 572/592.
-Start the bolts by hand.
-Then drop in equal amount thickness shims under each mount. I pull up one side of the motor at a time and slide the shims in.
-Usually I will go ahead and install the exhaust and battery box.
-Once everything is hooked up, I will spin the motor over.
-Use caution and make damn sure no fuel or spark will mix at any point.
-I will give the starter a few 5 second bursts (without spark plugs in) and watch everything fall into place.
-You can slide the motor forward and back by hand to get the desired air gap on the couplers.
-Run the starter again till you are satisfied everything is settled.
-At this time I will get my 6" straight edge out and double check the couplers.
-When you are happy with the alignment, I use a long extension with a 12mm wiggle socket and torque all the mount bolts.

[Inkaddict]

Thank you much!!!

[WFO]

Anytime

[OsideBill]

I made this a sticky

[yamxlt1200nj]

I'd like to give this alignment procedure a try and I'm curious where you situate the spark plug wires while they are not connnected to the plugs.

Also should I install the carbs, stinger, and U-pipe before I attempt this method. And should I only tighten the 4 motor mount bolts by hand.

Thanks,
Brian

[Inkaddict]

I'd like to give this alignment procedure a try and I'm curious where you situate the spark plug wires while they are not connnected to the plugs.

Also should I install the carbs, stinger, and U-pipe before I attempt this method. And should I only tighten the 4 motor mount bolts by hand.

Thanks,
Brian

Brian, Hang the plugs out of the hull away from anything flamable... Tighten the motor mounts by hand, install the carbs and stinger, bump the motor... It falls into place.. Ive done this many times since and its perfect or damn near perfect every time... Make sure you measure the gaps on the coupler and that their even all the way around.

[inthered]

Still can't get it straight

I've replaced the shafts and everything down to the impellor. Putting it back together I am up to getting the motor back in to the tolerances. I've tried the post about not tightening the bolts and running the starter. I've tried every combination of shim under each and every mount but I really get the same result everytime.
No problem getting the top and bottom of the coupler dead even but the sides are way out by about double the tolerance. Obviously one way on one side and the opposite on the other.
Seems like the motor either needs to move over a mm or twist a mm.
Don't know what else to say and for any help I would be eternally grateful. Everything else has gone back together fine.
Paul

[1200Jet]

You may need new mounts.

I take it youv'e already tried to add shims on opposite sides front and rear to correct the aligniment?

Try moving the mounts around.

[inthered]

Thanks, I'll give that a go.

[icky002]

Using this method, do you use an equal size shim under each mount regardless of which size shim, or lack there of, came from the factory? Just a little confusedThank you as always. ken

"-Then drop in equal amount thickness shims under each mount. I pull up one side of the motor at a time and slide the shims in. "

[WFO]

Using this method, do you use an equal size shim under each mount regardless of which size shim, or lack there of, came from the factory? Just a little confusedThank you as always. ken

"-Then drop in equal amount thickness shims under each mount. I pull up one side of the motor at a time and slide the shims in. "

most GPR/XLTs come with one shim under each mount. I cant remember the size, but its pretty thick, like maybe 1/8"

[icky002]

Really? Mine has one shim. Seems to be aligned Ok so I will let it slide. II Did everything else in your directions and it was awesome!. Thankyou!

[agood1]

I only found 2 shims on my xl1200 when I removed the engine, they were both under the 2 rear mounts. However, later when I was cleaning out the hull, I found 2 more shims hanging on the bilge pump, they were hanging there like they were put there as spares....no way they got there unintentionally.