Cutlass to Shaft Tolerance
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24075
Printed Date: November-19-2024 at 1:42pm
Topic: Cutlass to Shaft Tolerance
Posted By: verdi1
Subject: Cutlass to Shaft Tolerance
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 1:27am
| I have learned a great deal on maintenance of my 84 SN due to this site. |
Replies:
Posted By: verdi1
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 1:50am
Excuse me guys, hit enter before I was done. Anyways my question is there an acceptable tolerance between the cutlass bearing and the shaft? I have about .009" in between the shaft and the cutlass on the rear and front but the gap is in top in the rear and bottom in the front. I just installed a new cutlass bearing and I can't center the shaft in the log without the gap. I think I am going to have to shim the strut but before I do, I am wondering if I center the shaft in the shaft log and then shim the strut to match once I put the boat back in the water am I going to loose all of my painstaking alignment? |
verdi1 wrote:Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 9:29am
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Phillip,
Yes, you'll need to do the engine alignment again after shimming the strut. Have you seen the alignment video? Alignment starts at the strut! 
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21279&title=shaft-strut-alignment-video - alignment video ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 1:03pm
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Phillip - The boat does change shape a little bit from being on trailer to floating, but not enough to change the alignment of the strut. The alignment to the transmission coupler is more likely to be affected when the boat floats. I wouldn't worry about this, just shim the strut to be in alignment with the log center (assuming you have a straight shaft).
Use brass or stainless steel washers, it won't take much. Use 3M 5200 or 4200 sealant to mount the strut once you are sure you have it in the right place. The clearance between the shaft & bearing ID should be less than .001 inch, BTW. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: verdi1
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 1:17pm
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Thanks guys, you just made my week!!! I am thinking the shaft was missalingned for a long time, maybe even from the factory. Ok now that I am going to dig deep into this thing what precautions do I need to take while removing the strut (other than my best friend looking up at it while I take it loose [;) Is the old epoxy/5200 base going to stay when I knock it loose? If so can I shim on top of the old base?
Pete, I did see the video even before I purchased the boat and noticed she would probably need some work. Great video by the way (I am a pictures person, and helps a great deal!!!) |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-06-2011 at 2:09pm
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Phillip,
It may just fall off when you get the bolts off. I don't feel the factory used any high end adhesives/sealants. To them at that time, silicone was "high tech"! Damn, I hate silicone!!  When you get the strut off, just get all the old compound off it and the hull. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: verdi1
Date Posted: November-07-2011 at 12:49am
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Pete/Chris,
Thanks again guys! what I thought was going to be a daunting task turned out to be quite easy! As you said Pete the strut came right off there was barely any sealant at all that I could see, this gave me time to break out my wire wheel and polish the strut like "new money". I then shimmed the aft portion of the strut with a flat washer that I had nipped two sides a little to make a "corner washer" then bedded everything in 5200 including below and above the washers. I now have a shaft coming out pretty close to center of the log and even better the cutless to shaft alignment is nearly perfect! Those who haven't done this and need to, do not be scared it just takes two people and that is the only bad part about it (beer is all my helper required) This has inspired me to take my other through hull fittings and overhaul as well. |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 12:13am
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Philip - Congratulations on getting it done & thanks for the report back. Many times we don't get feedback on the outcome. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 9:09am
 ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |