Alignment Offshore Eng Mounts
 

Anyone had their transom partially replaced and had to re-align the engine with offshore mounts? Have a 1989 Baja 320 with twin 454 & Brovo drives. Had half of the transome replaced and cannot get the motor to re-align. The front mounts are Off-shore rigid mounts so there really is no adjustment unless you re-drill all the holes. I found a Merc service bulletin indicating to remove the double lock washer on the rear mounts but, it does not indicate this for older mount like mine. Only shows them for newer flywheel covers 99 & up.? I have read some post about the gimbel bearing (I installed a brand new one) being out of align and having to hit all four sides of it with the alignment tool...? I am appx 3/16" off alignment and cannot get it there...

Update to my alignment issue with offshore motor mounts. Took the boat back to the fiberglass repair shop in mid-Michigan that did the repair and had their installers attempt to align the engine and they could not do it. I took the boat to another shop and it appears the replacement transom was made incorrectly and will have to be removed and replaced. Unfortunatley the shop I orignally took it to was not as experianced as they told me they were. Time to call the attorney

If they replaced the core of the transom, I dont see how that could have changed anything alignment wise, as the outer holes of the transom (mounting holes) should have not been modified. Sounds like you need to take it somewhere where they no what they are doing.

I highly recommend a phone call to Wesco Racing, in Jenison, Mi. Dave Wesseldyke will get it sorted out for you.

Seems like it would be easier to remount the front mount in proper alignment than redo the transom. 3/16 of an inch shouldn't make a difference in any other dimension.

Yes, the original holes are still there as they only replaced the core. However, the problem is the inside transom is not true to the exterior transom surface. Therefore, some of the mounting surface area for the gimbal housing on the inner transom is uneven and different thickness. This overall is causing the angle of rear mounts to change on the gimbal housing mounting plate. According to Mercrusier this needs to be within 1/8" of spec or else alignment cannot be achieved.

Oh, that there is a BIG mistake. Hope they make it right.

Unfortunatley the shop that worked on it only offer is to bring it back and let it sit there for four weeks before they can get it in and see if they can get it right...? I have already had it back to them twice because, of problems with the repair. Don't think I am going to take it back for a third time. Hopefully, I can get some assitance with a attorney's help. If you ever have transom repair work done be very careful and do your research on the shop up front. I had several other repair jobs done by this shop and was happy with it. However, nothing was a complex as the transom replacement and the shop indicated they could do this no problem. Guess, I should have done some more "homework" on their work on a job like this.

SOUNDS LIKE HALF ASS WORK TO ME !!!!

If replacing transom..either replace it full or dont mess with it !

Your not only buying one shoe at a store either..are you ?

Looks like your are between a rock and a hardplace.
Do you have the racing solid motor mounts ?
I would remove the bolts from the mount from the boat. Hoist the motor to where it belongs, using the proper alignment tool. Now with a flashlight and a mirror look in the existing holes. You should be able to see how far off you are !
If your off slightly, you could drill additional holes in the mount, this would keep the engine where it belongs. Install the bolts, then elongate the other holes by drilling thru the mount. If they are not too far off. Either way it is a tough thing to get at.
Good Luck and Post what you do.
Brian

We have taken over this project to replace the transom, stringers and firewall for Robert. The original transom was 2 inches thick from Baja and the shop that replaced port side half of his transom made it from 2 1/2 to 2 5/8 thick with voids and some of the worst glass work I have ever seen. We found 2 bad spots on the starboard side, center stringers and lower half of firewall rotten out. This 320 Baja is 1 of the cleanest you will find anywhere and deservers to be brought back to life the proper way. I will post the progress on this thread and add a page to my website.