Okay, I have a question for you guys. I am trying to align the engine in my sleekcraft which has a 350 sbc and mercruiser 288. I have the engine alignment tool, but it only goes into the engine/crank about 1/4", then it hits the splines, in the TOP of the hole. I lowered the front engine mounts all the way down, which didn't help. Then I raised them all the way up, which still doesn't help.

So... what do I do? The rear mounts effectively "hang" on the gimbal support, so there is no adjustment in back, correct?

I am totally lost and this is hanging up my project. Any help would be appreciated!

No adjustment in the back of the motor. There is some play in the bearing if you take your alignment tool you can move it a little.

make sure the gimbal bearing is aleigned with the splines or it can get wedged acting like the aleignment is out..

slide the tool in and take a plastic hammer and hit the tool up and down and side to side and see if it goes in any further..you may have to do it several times.

did you have the motor out?

X2

especially if it's a new gimbal bearing and the same motor mounts you've had, etc...

Also, if you've had the engine out, be sure the front mounts are the same as befoire and that the rear mounts were put back togegther correctly

Put the tool in thru the bearing, but not into the splines. Lift up on your end of the tool. (It'll seem not right, but the tool end will move a couple inches as the bearing pivots) That will pivot the bearing pointing downwards towards the splines. Keep doing this till the tool is centered with the beginning of the splines, then adjust the motor up/down till the tool slides in easily.

When adjusting the front motor mounts, read the grease marks on the tool.
Grease wiped off the top of the tool= lower the engine front.
Grease wiped off the bottom of the tool= raise the front

On the rear did you get the springs and fiber washer correct, if you did not, you will never get it to line up moving the front up or down.

I have no idea, I didn't put the engine in. Is there a way to check? As for the spring, what spring?

Also, what torque spec do the rear mounts get tightened to? I have TWO manuals, the official mercury ones and another one, and both of them refer to "table 4" for torque specs, but there is nothing referring to engine mounts.

Back mount ref is 40 ftlbs and in another place 35-40 ftlbs...I don't believe I have ever bothered to torque these...The bolt is being tightened against a collar from memory...
Look in your manual there is a "double wound washer" that is like a doubled up lock washer that is the spring...you might be able to see it or feel it. I'm with Jim maybe the fiber washer/springs are assembled wrong as most likely.
You may be able to see the coupler through the gimbal bearing with a strong flashlite and get an idea of what is wrong?

Lane