1978 Ski Nautique Restoration

NeilMcG wrote: wayoutthere wrote: Far as alignment goes, ron tanis has some very good videos on the subject. Start fresh with new cutlas bearings in the strut. What's your opinion regarding installing a new coupler?

My opinion on a new coupler ;
spend 600 bucks and get the dual taper shaft and coupler to go along with the new cutlas bearings and hdpe stuffing box. Hand adjustable instead of 2 big pipe wrenches.

Heres why;
-an hour of changing nuts bolt washers and spacers to pull the original coupler off sucks almost as bad as oven heating and mig welding gloves to put the coupler back on the shaft only to find out after all your hard work theres a bent shaft and you have to break out the nuts bolts washers and spacers again.
-even if the original coupler is perfect i'd bet there is some wear on the shaft from the stuffing box and strut.
-the dual taper shaft is a breeze to install/remove making stuffing box and cutlas bearings in the future a much easier job.
-it was priceless for me when it came to alignment because i had to solve it in a way other than the traditional method.

https://skiboatpartsonline.com/ARE-Shaft-ARE-0035

https://skiboatpartsonline.com/stuffing-box?search=Stuffing%20box

After your happy with alignment Remember to torque the new coupler to the transmission in a north south west east pattern and diveide final torque by 3 or 4 and make that number of passes to final torque i.e if torque is 30 ft pnds make 3 passes 10 20 & 30 don't just slam it together and tighten them up.

KENO wrote: If the mounting flange is warped gouged, not concentric or if the coupler is loose on the shaft..............it's bad It's a heat shrink interference fit Here's some reading in the link link Plenty more with a search too

Ah...ha. thank you!

What are you looking at for an oil pan to replace it with.?

67 ski nat wrote: My ‘marine’ pan is aluminum (corrosion resistant?) And holds 8 quarts (cooling ? ) Slight mopar improvement Just things to consider

Thanks. As long as it'll fit 😀

KENO wrote: What are you looking at for an oil pan to replace it with.?

Just searched "351w oil pan."
Summit has them under $100, but after searching the OEM # R004005 with price tags of $400 and up, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something that might be unique to PCM or correct craft.
I think your link will answer this though. Captain Ken comes through again.

Since it's am 8 foot door, the opening is probably a few inches less due to finishing trim.

See the other thread