I watched my mechanic replace my (alpha) drive yesterday. I had replaced the engine mounts and did my best to get them as close as I could by measuring and eye-balling. he brought the alignment tool and put it in, it didn't go in all the way for the first two attempts but after setting the bearing with some light taps of a soft-faced hammer and the tool it was fine. So, just because it doesn't fit at first doesn't mean it isn't right. After it was seated properly we checked the grease marks and determined it was only a hair off. not even worth messing with. just my .02

i just pulled out my 502 to do a rebuild. should i have to worry about this when its going back in?

I am hoping your mechanic was tapping up and down or left to right to align the gimbal bearing, if not he should be shot for beatingthe alignment tool in.

Should always check it whenever the motor is pulled. Solid mounts are usually ok if they are left bolted to the boat.

And then check at least every 2 yrs. Allows you to check your bellows and grease teh u-joints

I have also found when replacing a gimble bearing you can hear & feel when it is seated, I also tap it with a brass drift just to make sure

yes, sorry if that wasn't clear. he tapped it down based on the grease marks, not in.

I was checking mine and it looks heavy on one side? Also the engine is not level left and right. After i leveled the engine with the pins and checking it with the back transom, the floor ,and measuring down to the adjusting pin plates of the valve covers its dead on. Now when it put the tool in it hits on the port side? I did use the coupler i used last year since it was one year old? any ideas? thanks dan

little d---I think you boat is bent!

Another thing to try is to rotate the engine 180* after you have it aligned. If the coupler is warped, it will show up then. I chased a warped coupler for a few (more like several to many many) hours one time. Had to borrow a good one, align the motor and then reinstall the bad one and ran it for 6-8yrs.. never had a problem with it.

I think you nailed it on the coupler. I worked with one guy inside the boat and making 1/8 turns on the adjusting nuts and we got it were it went easy and the grease had splines all the way around the tool. after turning the motor 180 it got tight again. the bottom of the adjusting stands do have a slotted bolts holes, but very little movement. Thanks for the help i thin im good to go.