[C320-list] Shaft Alignment -- Article and spreadsheet posted

[Jane & Ken]

Jeff, A question concerning your decision to change from the PSS.  Why did you abandon the PSS?  What do you propose when you wrote "go back to the PSS shaft seal(with vent)?
  I am planning to install a PSS within the very near future-----What problems and/or considerations should I be aware of before I continue?  Thanks, Kenneth Cathey  #219

Jeffrey Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
  Hi Warren,

Thanks for the article and spreadsheet. They're posted on the website
now. If we run into copyright complaints from the author, we'll either get
permission or take them down as required, but they're posted up there for
now. 

I'm going to give this a shot this weekend since I just replaced my prop
shaft.

-JeffH

PS: Now I'm on the hunt for a pair of cheap 1-7/8" wrenches for adjusting my
stuffing box. I switched to my original stuffing box with GFO packing.
I'll compare this with the PSS I've been using for years. Next season I'll
either keep going with GFO or go back to the PSS shaft seal (with vent).

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:24 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Shaft Alignment

This spring I aligned my engine/shaft. It is a tedious task but not
difficult. I followed instructions in an article titled "Get In Line" buy
Jack Harden. I don't know where I collected this article; but, it is a very
thorough approach to alignment. It explains how to take the measurements
and do the calculations to determine verticle and horizontal alignment at
the coupling. It goes on to explain how to make the adjustments of the
engine to reduce the alignment error.

It also explains how to calculate "out of trueness" for the engine and shaft
side coupling faces. Unfortunately, there is no way to compensate for the
lack of trueness of the shaft faces short of removing the shaft and perhaps
the tranny and having a machine shop do the alignment. But, it's always
nice to know where are your problems.

Fortunately, my alignment was dead on in the verticle and only .001" out in
the horizontal. I didn't need to make any adjustments saving me the trouble
and time to re-run the measurements and calculations.

I have, also, an Excel spreadsheed for recording the measurements and
running the calculations. I'm happy to share the article and spreadheet
with anyone. Just send me a request off-list. Maybe I'll get around to
posting it on the website.

To answer the question, yes, a feeler gage is used. It's all explaned in
the article. I had trouble finding the necessary feeler gage at local auto
stores. I found it at J C Whittney online.

Warren & Pattie Updike
C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
Chesapeake Bay