I`m setting my engine back in and seem to be having a hard time getting the engine lined up with the trans.
I`ve got plenty of experience installing car engines, but this is my first time installing a boat engine with a transmission.
My previous boat engine experience was a 454 with a Bravo drive.
I can get the bolts and dowel pins lined up, but I think my splines are not lining up perfect. I applied blue spline grease and have tried twice. I got all the bolts started and slowly began tightening them. The first time, I got the engine within an inch of the trans and it seemed to be binding, so I backed off, pulled engine away and looked everything over. Splines appeared to have maybe engaged by 1/16". I cleaned the splines good and liberally applied spline grease. I lined up engine again, got all the bolts started and drew the engine / trans together. It came within 1/8" apart and just seems like it won`t go anymore. I`m afraid I`ll break a bolt or an ear off trans or damage something if I tighten anymore.
I can look down through the inspection hole and it looks like input shaft is turning as I turn engine with large screwdriver.
I messed around with it a few hours last night and finally threw in the towel at 9 pm.
I`m planning on working on it all day today, until I have it running.
Am I doing this correctly ? Is there another method that is preferred ?
I think I`ll pull engine back away and remove the coupler and see if I can slip it onto splines by itself.
I pulled the engine about 3 weeks ago for repair. I didn`t even touch the flywheel or coupler. I didn`t touch the transmission or motor mount plate either. I thought it would be a simple "slip in and bolt up" deal.

What am I doing wrong ???

Any suggestions ???

It may be easier to pull the tranny, bolt it to the engine, then istall both together. That's the only way I've done it. It goes in pretty easy then.

Where do you unbolt the tranny from ? Be specific, I`m dumb.

The only thing holding the tranny on are the 2 BIG verticle bolts on the tailstock "wings". They bolt to the transom assembly with a couple of washers and springs between them. Note thier orientation. BTW, the tranny weights about 100lbs, so get a friends help if you're an old guy like me with a bad back.

OK, I`m familiar with the big vertical bolts. Kinda like whats on a Bravo transom. So, the tranny slips forward ? Is there a shaft or something involved ?

There is a splined horizontal shaft from the drive upper that plugs into the tranny. For reinstallation purposes, remove the drive befor installing the tranny and motor together.
You just need to remove the trim ram bolts, then the 6 nuts that hold the upper to the bellhousing on the back of the boat.
It's also a good time to grease the drive U joint and have engine alignment checked.

Don't know if my stuff is like yours but take a look and let me know if this helps any. I think i went through similar troubles.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=136407

Yes, there is a drive shaft in the outdrive that goes into the trany. I usually pull the outdrive, then pull the engine/trany as one unit. Not sure if you have to pull the drive to pull the trany, but think it would impossible to replace it with the drive there. Mines a TRS btw, in case that matters.

Oh, and getting the drive driveshaft in the trany can drive you to tears. be prepaired for that.

Whew, I thought I was having flashbacks!

Wow....looks like plenty of work. I was hoping to have this all back together this afternoon. Guess I better get started !