Has any one noticed that some bell housings are loose on the alignment dowels in the block.I just did one that the dowels were 28 thousands smaller than the holes on the housings!!!!! what's up with that. JOHN SR

ttt

<Maybe> c/l of bellhousing was 0.014 out of c/l of crank bore, so they did a back yard repair and drilled out the bellhousing pin bores a bit, so they could offset it to line up c/l's?

I dunno.

No these are factory mercruiser never touched.I have had several on engines with the same problem.Unless they do it so the housings don't get stuck on the dowels from corrosion.Maybe the few thousands does not matter????? JOHN SR

If it is an Alpha or Bravo housing not a big deal. If it is for a transmission yes it is a problem.

This is regular and common on all Mercruiser Bravo bell housings.
On a Bravo setup the bell housing is just the rear engine mount and flywheel and coupler shield. It does not line up the drive input shaft and does not mount a starter or transmission so the alignment is not an issue. The bell housing mounting by the back of engine block bolts will align the bell housing close enough to clear the coupler snout and that's all that's needed.
If your used to working on automobiles where a transmission is mounted to the bell housing this will drive you "nuts", just remember its a boat not a car!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

there are 2 u-joints 1 foot behind coupler and gimble bearing has a spherical outside shape so it can swivel to whatever angle lines the shaft best.

Yeah I realize all this but it is odd I thought for some to be tight and some to be loose.Oh well Thanks for the input JOHN SR

Dereknkathy:

I understand what you are saying about the input shaft u-joint swivel equipment. That u-joint is to handle the angles created when the drive is turned left or right or tilted up and down, it does not center or align the input shaft thru the gimbal bearing into the coupler. One must also remember never to install a drive input shaft into the coupler on a new or reinstalled transom set-up or engine remount until you use an alignment tool and carefully align the coupler, input shaft and gimbal bearing for drive centering, height and axis.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar