New ARE shaft install and alignment

Guys, working on my 83 SN....installing my 'new to me' ARE dual tapper shaft today and wanted your thoughts on the alignment in the log - I put new bushings in the strut and this is where the shaft sits in the log unsupported - a bit low but I assume because its got some weight to it. Think the strut is aligned to the log?


Also wondering......is the original style dampner plate? I assume I should change it....


Thanks for the advice!

Dreaming wrote: if your damper plate chatters, or has a lot of hours on it, it might be a good time to change it. If you don't mind pulling the trans again in a couple of months (or later if it's good), you can save a couple hundred $$ by running the one you have.

Agree with all that except the couple hundred part - you can get a damper closer to a hundred. Unsupported that shaft alignment looks pretty good to me.

KENO wrote: This would most likely be the plate Joe speaks of damper plate It's gotten good reviews over the years on CCF. 3 bolts to hold it on instead of 6 is mentioned in the ad.and nobody has had a problem with using only 3.

The Sachs plate is excellent. Nice spring support top on bottom unlike the stamped pockets that do not have flat bottoms.
Duane, would you ever dream of putting a square wire die spring in a hole bottom that isn't flat!!
Ken,
The shear of the 3 bolts even if they are grade 2 is way beyond the torque of even a big block. Not even a concern with me.

Duane/Joe/Ken - thanks for the advice ---- I just bought the dampner on ebasic power! I have no idea how old the other one is....boat has over 1000 hrs on her so i'm sure it needs it, plus an upgrade as Pete said!

Pete - I just checked the 'happiness' of the shaft in the strut/cutlass....its a little tight as shown in the pic and as soon as I take weight of the front it spins nice so I think I'm good to go!   

Thanks for the advice!

Now to wrap up the velvet drive/wait for dampner plate and complete the install!

You guys all rock!