[C320-list] Shaft Alignment

[jonvez at comcast.net]

Bob,

No worries--If the engine is properly aligned and the prop in good shape, a cutless bearing can last for years. If you don't have much vibration and you check for play in the bearing whenever you haul, you should be fine. 
My current cutless bearing has lasted for 4 seasons. When I put the new one in, I aligned the engine and haven't touched it since--Engine alignment is the single most important aspect though and it is worth learning how to do or writing a check for someone else to do. Just remember that it is a time intensive project, so the hours can get up there when paying....

Regards,

Jon Vez

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Robert Seastream <robert.seastream at comcast.net> 

> Now you folks are making me worry about my 2002... 
> 
> Bob Seastream 
> 
> On May 3, 2007, at 5:27 PM, jonvez at comcast.net wrote: 
> 
> > Hi Joe, 
> > 
> > As someone mentioned, the tolerance is .003. You have to align on 3 
> > planes(up, down, side to side and forward to back)--it's not 
> > difficult, but it is time consuming and tries ones patience. You may 
> > want to consider having a yanmar mechanic or similar do it the first 
> > time and watch. You basically loosen the bolts holding the 
> > transmission coupling together and use the feeler gauge around the 
> > coupling to get everything to equal .003. I've had to replace my 
> > cutless once so far on my '99. I suspect I'll be doing it again in the 
> > fall as I had a very slight vertical play before launching a couple of 
> > weeks ago. It's also important to do this after the boat has been in 
> > the water for at least 10 days and after tuning the rig as the hull 
> > does flex and will give you a false reading...Good luck... 
> > 
> > Regards, 
> > 
> > Jon Vez 
> > 
> > -------------- Original message -------------- 
> > From: "Joe Barrett" 
> > 
> >> I have been thru two Cutlass bearings on my 2001 C320 and now getting 
> >> vibration that makes it seem like I need a new one installed. My 
> >> question is 
> >> how do you go about aligning the shaft properly. I have never done it 
> >> before 
> >> on my C320 or my O'Day 272 I owned before. Do you use a feeler gauge? 
> >> If so 
> >> what is the dimension for proper alignment. How do you do it??? Any 
> >> help 
> >> appreciated. 
> >> 
> >> Joe Barrett 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> ------------------------------------ 
> >> Dolphin Commercial 
> >> Joseph T. Barrett jr. 
> >> President 
> >> joe at dolphinmortgage.com 
> >> 9010 Strada Stell Court 
> >> Suite 209 
> >> Naples, Florida 34109 
> >> 
> >> In The Vanderbilt Galleria behind Sanibel Steakhouse 
> >> tel: 239-597-2266 
> >> tel2:1-800-264-4119 
> >> fax: 239-597-7276 
> >> mobile: 239-777-1880 
> >> www.dolphinmortgage.com 
> >> ------------------------------------ 
> >> 
> >> -----Original Message----- 
> >> From: Kirk McCullough [mailto:kirk.mccullough at telus.net] 
> >> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:45 PM 
> >> To: joe at dolphinmortgage.com; C320-List 
> >> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Volt Meter 
> >> 
> >> That happened to mine. I bought a new one, from the original 
> >> supplier. It 
> >> was shipped next day and cost about $40.00 as i recall. It's easy to 
> >> replace 
> >> it. 
> >> 
> >> Kirk 
> >> Boomerang #124 
> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
> >> From: "Joe Barrett" 
> >> To: "'C320-List'" 
> >> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 6:46 AM 
> >> Subject: [C320-list] Volt Meter 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> My Volt meter at the Nav Station is not working. Anyone know how to 
> >> fix??? 
> >> Joe Barrett 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -----Original Message----- 
> >> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com 
> >> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
> >> jonvez at comcast.net 
> >> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:08 PM 
> >> To: C320-List 
> >> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel Gauges 
> >> 
> >> Mike, 
> >> 
> >> My guage works fine. I got a new one when replacing my fuel tank last 
> >> year 
> >> and I'm keeping the old one as a spare. I don't really rely on my 
> >> guage--I 
> >> simply keep track of how much fuel I use and match against engine 
> >> hours. 
> >> Over the course of several years, I know what I burn per hour pretty 
> >> accurately (.4 gal/hour--I have an autoprop). I typically run at about 
> >> 2200-2300 RPM's which is around 6 kts. boat speed for me. I know I 
> >> don't run 
> >> the engine at the RPM's I should be, but this is where the engine 
> >> feels most 
> >> comfortable... 
> >> 
> >> Also, the tank is 19 gallons, so you want to factor that in when 
> >> calculating 
> >> gallons per hour.... 
> >> 
> >> Regards, 
> >> 
> >> Jon Vez 
> >> 
> >> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> >> From: mike hunter 
> >> 
> >>> How many of you have operational fuel gauges? I have owned 2 
> >>> Catalina's and neither of them have had gauges that work. I have 
> >>> heard 
> >>> this is common for all boats. The manual states fuel consumption at ½ 
> >>> gallon per hour at 2800 RPMs, I'm rarely up this high, so I figure it 
> >>> is safe to go 40 hours on the 20-gallon tank. I guess what I'm really 
> >>> asking is - is it worth replacing the sending unit, gauge, etc., if 
> >>> it's going to only last a short while; or should I just continue to 
> >> guestimate? 
> >>> 
> >>> While I'm sort of on the subject of RPMs, my boat has a "sweet spot" 
> >>> at around 2000 RPMs, which pushes it along at around 4.5 knots. When 
> >>> it gets above that, I feel a small vibration at my feet. How much 
> >> vibration is normal? 
> >>> 
> >>> I also have to share my joy with the results of McLube Sailkote. 
> >>> Before Sailkote it would take everything I had to get the main sail ¾ 
> >>> up the mast and the last ¼ was tough even with the winch. Now I can 
> >>> pull it all the way to the top without straining. I also applied it 
> >>> to 
> >>> the shift lever and throttle lever shafts at the pedestal and talk 
> >>> about 
> >> smooth. Awesome product!!! 
> >>> 
> >>> Thanks! 
> >>> 
> >>> Mike 
> >>> #637 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> --------------------------------- 
> >>> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? 
> >>> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> No virus found in this incoming message. 
> >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
> >> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/785 - Release Date: 
> >> 5/2/2007 2:16 
> >> 
> >> PM 
> >> 
> >> 
> > 
> 
>