Quick alpha one install question
 

Hey guys, I used one of those bars you insert through the transom to center the motor before puttin the outdrive back in. I thought it seemed real smooth, but if the motor is off even a little will I be getting a vibration at idle, NOT in gear? I got a nasty vibration throughout the rpm range and trying to cancel all possibilities before I yank the motor again.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

I would be surprised if that would cause your problem. My experience if they are off any it is very hard to install the outdrive. Specially an Alpha.
Did you have the flywheel off when you had the engine out? Did you get it back on correctly. I have seen BBC when the dowl is missing the flywheel will still bolt up and you will have a bad vibration :eek:
Take the outdrive off, put a garden hose in the input hose and run the engine without the outdrive. Or just start it without water and see if you have the vibration. Assuming you do not have a seawater pump.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

That in most cases won't cause a vibration like your speaking of, check to see if your Harmonic Balancer has spun. I have seen this happen a few times and that will create a nasty vibration throughout the rpm's.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

Need LOTS more info. here. But if you used the alignment tool and you could slide it in/out by hand it is NOT an alignment problem. You running this on hose trimmed way up or cranked hard to one side? Gimble brg. and U-joints real good? Rebuilt engine that requires external or internal balance and not properly accounted for? Check it out - Let us know - Can probably help. --- Jer

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

ya it was a shortblock 355 inch reman, edelbrock headed, hyd cammed, performer intake. No big deal motor. Shortblock is supposed to be of 80-83 vintage. Has 2 piece rear main. Used a brand new flywheel and bran new balancer. If I remember I bought flywheel and balancer that was for an internal balance engine, arent all the 350's internal? The balancer is an 8inch. The outdrive whent right in, so I kinda figured thats not my vibration.

The vibration is typical of a bad balancer, but with everything being new Im just trying to rule everything out. Outdrive is straight, trimmed down on a hose with ears. Was beginning to break in the cam and thats a no go with the vibration.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

Its an external balanced engine. I bet you have the flywheel on wrong or the wrong one.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

I thought the only externals were the 400? Im no chevy guy by any means mind you. Flywheel is on correct for sure, may have the wrong one

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

u joints

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

it was fine with the old 305 in it last year at the last outing, if it was the ujoints that would be great. I was gonna pull the drive tommorrow and just fire it up for 5 seconds and I would know right away if the vibration was still there

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

350 cid are internally balanced, 400 small blocks are externally balanced. That still doesn't mean that you don't have the wrong or bad balancer/flywheel even though new???

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you did not get the entire rotating assembly balanced together, you could have these problems.

If you used an 'experienced' crank, you can get away without balancing IF you make sure the weights of the pistons/rods that came off of it were close to the ones you put in it.

If you bought a new crank, I would bet my house that if it wasn't balanced it will cause the problems you describe.

When I mean balanced, I mean matched to the weights of the pistons/rods. The right way to balance is to have the entire rotating assembly balanced together (pistons/rings, rods, crank, balancer, flywheel).

Also, some new flywheels may not be factory balanced.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

It was just a short block reman. Bone stock reman. Wether they threw the rotating on a hines type balancer I couldnt tell ya. I will call him tommorrow and ask.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

I doubt it's the engine itself. If the crank or a balancer was out the vibration would be constant and not stop when he engages a gear. Plus the frequency of the vibration would increase with RPM.
I had a flywheel resurfaced once and the machine shop screwed it up and threw it out of balance. The vibration did not go away under load. It got worse.

Check your u-joints and the gimabl bearing when you pull it part.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

When new,

2 piece rear seal 5.7's are internally balanced
1 piece rear seal 5.7's are externally balanced

Once a rebuilder get's a hold of them who knows how they do it unless you are there. At minimum, always make sure to ask.

1pc vs 2 piece crank flywheels bolt patterns are different, however dampers should all slide on the same.Make sure to ask and still check balancer, damper if weight is added on or not. Don't always trust 'what you ordered' - you have to always check part when it's in your hands. Mistakes happen.

Tech tip: when using the alignment tool, rotate engine 1/4 turn or so, insert alignment tool again, rotate again re-install alignment tool, etc, etc. This will help see if the coupler is relatively straight or really out of round.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

Right thats what I thought as I had to buy a new flywheel for an older vintage 2 piece rear main crank. Now speaking from the ford side of things, we have encountered numerus bone stock 302's that were 30-40grams off balance from the factory and run smooth as can be. I just pulled the drive, will fire it up later for 5 seconds and I will know right away if it's anything related to the drive and if the vibration is still there.

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

update, yanked the drive, fired it up, still vibrates. Maybe got an external flywheel and it slippd past me. Time to yank it out again. :mad:

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

I have changed them in the boat before. If you have enough room just lift it and turn it side ways. Saves a little time :(

Re: Quick alpha one install question
 

ya I got lots of room, thats what I meant by yank it out. This sucks but what are ya gonna do.

:rolleyes: