Driveshaft/Coupler Overlap

1984 Ski Nautique 2001
Engine Model PRD WR R10
Pleasurecraft Marine
Right-Hand Rotation from Rear
351 CID -- 255 h.p.
Warner Velvet Drive Model 10-17-003
Direct Drive (1:1)



OK, first, my doggone phone stopped taking pictures, so I borrowed my wife's phone and got some nice pics for this--but she's off to Summerfest before I could pull the pics, arghhh. I'll try to add them later, sorry.

I was repacking the packing box and noticed that, where the driveshaft goes into the coupler, on the side opposite the velvet drive transmission (i.e. toward the packing box), I can see about 5/16" of the keyway in the driveshaft protruing outside the coupler collar. For some reason, that struck me as unusual--is it?

The boat is new (to us) and the previous owner had the driveshaft collar (with the two allen setscrews) tight against the packing gland nut. Given the condition of the old packing, I wouldn't be surprised if someone just tightened the collar down against the nut. Or the shaft may have moved out of the coupler a bit.

The minimum distance between the prop and the rudder is 2".

If the shaft may have pulled out a bit... If I loosen the two setbolts on the collar, is it possible to slide the shaft back in? I thought I read this was an interference fit.

Also, if those setbolts are loosened, is an alignment then required?

Getting ready for vacation and I'd rather not be messing with the shaft right now, if seeing part of that keyway is pretty normal.

Thanks.

Steve

Thanks for the quick reply, Tony. I haven't loosened the setbolts and given what you said about the heat shrink fit, I won't. Over time, I'll keep an eye on the amount of keyway I can see. Thanks again.

Steve