Strut and Shaft Alignment Out of Wack

Hi Guys,
    Once again I am coming to the bank of knowledge because I am not sure how to proceed. On my 66 Mustang I removed the shaft from the trans coupler and the coupler from the trans so that I could replace the piece of hose connected to the shaft log. While I had the shaft out I decided to replace the cutlass bushings because the ones I had were original. I replaced the bushings and then tried to slide the shaft back through the strut and it was rubbing on the left side of the shaft log opening ( looking at it from the back underside of the boat).
When I took the shaft out originally there didn't appear to be an alignment problem, but I might have missed it. I removed the strut and shaft and took them to Marine Associates, which is a shaft and strut manufacture and repair facility that came highly recommended.
They checked out the shaft and said that it had no run-out and it was straight as an arrow. They said the strut was slightly twisted and that they were able to jig it up and straigten it. Now with the strut bolted in place when I try to slide the shaft in it is still about a 1/2" left of the center nut on the trans side of the coupler. Am I doing this wrong or do I still have something that is bent? As always any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Pat

Hi Guys,

The shaft is still not in the middle of the log hole even with the strut twist removed it is still off to the left.

Thanks,
Pat

Peter,
Thanks for the advice. I have not yet bedded the strut base to the boat. I just have it bolted on hand tight for fitment. I had thought about elongating the holes but was afraid of weakening the strut mount and causing a leak. However, it sound like this is what i will have to do. I already have a couple of tubes of 5200 and was planning on using it to bed the strut base and seal the bolts.

Thanks,

Pat

anybody looking?

8122pbrainard wrote: Pat, Maybe the shop did get all the twist out of it but it was even twisted more originally from the factory. I have seen strut twist alignment done on the boat but it's not a recommendation from me. It was on a twin screw Chris. A large pipe wrench and a 6' cheater bar. The guys doing it said they would stop when if they heard wood splitting!!! It wouldn't surprise me if the factory used this method at one time!! I wonder if Eric would admit ever doing it??? Now, the factory uses a lazer alignment tool but I feel thats more towards a "dog and pony show". I'd rather use a 1&1/4" O.D. tube through the strut and into the hull hole as it will hold the strut in place while drilling the mounting holes - the lazer can't do that!!!

I can tell you yes that in the past we had a strut "tweeker" at Correct Craft. It was a cage that would fit around the strut barrel with a six foot pipe welded to it. We only used it in the R&D department and it was built by the late Steve Meloon.
I built one for my shop two years ago because I had a New Moomba come in that the strut was improperly installed and the shaft was riding in the shaft log insert to one side. Set up "tweeker", slightly bend strut so as the shaft came in the middle of log insert.
Re align motor and back to the customer.

I pull tools out that i dont even know what they are, but they sure add to the amazement, lol