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Old 12-01-2018, 04:21 PM
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ndutton ndutton is offline
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Try running in gear with the shaft coupler unbolted and pulled clear of the engine. Compare the sound to determine if you have an engine/reversing gear noise or a driveline noise and get back to us.

You are absolutely correct that an alignment exercise will be meaningless with the coupler unbolted from the engine due to weight related shaft sag so don't waste your time trying it in the water. There is a way to do it accurately out of the water. It requires removing the stuffing box and its hose, shimming the shaft into the center of the shaft log with three wedges 120° apart and then aligning. With the boat out of the water check the bearing for wear. There is no point in aligning anything with a worn out bearing.

As for tightening the stuffing box further to control drip rate, please revisit my post #6 in this thread. At some point you'll damage the prop shaft. I cannot say you are at that point yet but based on the dialogue I have a sneaky feeling you might be.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
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