I just bought a 78 carrera with a 454/trs outdrive. The 454 has rod knock. So i got a crank machined. I'm about to pull the motor, but I don't have an alignment tool. Nor can I find one to use, can I simply measure the height of crank pully, then pull/reinstall and make the pully same height as b4? (Also if I don't mess with the motor mounts shouldn't it stay aligned?

http://www.mercstuff.com/page16.htm

pedestal mounts?

To be honest I assumed they were just like my bayliner (I just got the boat haven't even hooked a battery to it or anything yet) they must be the pedestal mounts u speak of with a nut underneath to adjust the height. So If they are pedestal, and I don't move the adjustment but the motor should be pretty close to alignment when I instal right?

if it was in alignment before you should be good to go, sometimes you can look thru bearing once drive is off and see the splines and see if off much

You can eye it pretty dam good, than try to slide the drive in. If it binds remove it and try a little up or down.

Just buy an alignment tool on eBay.

"Eyeballing" alignment is a bad idea.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ he is spot on. Spend the money it's well worth it

Well I bought a big expensive toy and all the parts to fix it up... Just in time to get laid off n can't afford to drop 160 on the alignment tool n all the ones on eBay are for every damn drive but trs. So please don't flame on me to hard. I just wanna get it in the water and get the lady off my back

The trs will use the same alignment tool it just needs another part to go with it. It looks like a big diameter thrust washer. It goes on the alignment tool and you the use a feeler gauge to check it. Check your local marinas, some will rent them. Might be able to slip one of their techs $50 to check it for you.

post up your location and ask if there is anyone close by that can help you check it..

Im wondering if you have never pulled the motor how do you know what needs to be fixed internally?