installing strut / centering shaft

How critical is centering the shaft in the shaft log? I've moved the one shim I had from the front of the strut to the back and that seems to get me to where the shaft is not touching the log anywhere, but it's still not dead center.

Should I be shooting for perfectly centered?
If so, I'm going to need another shim. Can I use washers or should I be looking for something else?

Thanks!
Ryan

Pete,
Thanks for the response. I'll get some washers in there and get it centered better. Side to side it's ok, but it still needs to come up a a bit.

I ended up trying the xpc bushings. They doen't seem to have any give at all. They kind of seem too snug... I'm having a hard time turning the drive shaft. The only basis for comparison I have though is the 20 year old bushing that was in before. I'm not sure if they need to break in or what. Hopefully the xpc's weren't a mistake...

Pete,

The engine is still out of the boat, so getting the shaft in and out is no problem at this point. I work at a large machine shop (although I'm not a machinist), so I should be able to get some help if need be.

I did check the OD of the shaft and it seemed ok. I didn't check the ID or the OD of the bushing, but I did slip the bushing on the shaft before I installed the bushing in the strut. At that time, it was fine and slid right on. It wasn't until I installed the bushings did it seem tight. It kind of seems like the strut might have compressed the bushings a bit... Does that seem likely?

Thanks,
Ryan

Talked to skidim, where I bought the bushings. He thought it should, if anything, be looser than the rubber bushing athough he didn't give specifics on tolerances. He thought maybe the strut tube was bent and might be binding the shaft. He said he'd run it and see if it wears in, but I like your idea of hitting it with a reamer first. I'm going to give OJ a call and see what they have to say about tolerances.

^^ Where is Hollywood when you need him ^^

WakeSlayer wrote: ^^ Where is Hollywood when you need him ^^

Mike,
I just took a look at the previous post and wow you're correct!! I was just writing along and certainly my mind wasn't going off in that direction! We'll see what happens.

I've run the plastic cutlass bearings in some V-drive flatbottom stuff.Had good luck with them,also found them to be a bit tight on the shaft but not binding.They do seem to wear in to a smooth free rotation fairly quickly.I like the reamer idea.

Munday

After much shimming and adjusting, the strut is installed and centered. The way the strut bolts were tightened seemed to make the difference in getting it just right. Got the new dripless seal and the engine in too! Gonna need an alignment, that's for sure.