Greetings Afourinans,
Needing some expert wisdom and advice from some of you who may have encountered this problem--or were smart enough not to! First off, let me confess to being a real newbie and probably in way over my head at this point.
My co-owner Tom and I have purchased a good running A4 late model from a post on this forum. We've removed the old dead A4 (early model) from our 1972 vintage Catalina 27 and wrestled our "new" A4 into place (hereafter just called new motor)--and here is where we're facing problems. I'm posting a couple pictures to show the issue. Note that the pictures show the engine on a big slant--which it still is-being slid into place on a couple wood blocks. It will line up much better--but it will be longer than previous motor.
Basically, we are sliding the new motor into place and need to move it back another inch to mate up with the mounting bolts--and we're jammed up to the shaft coupler already. Our assumption had been that the new A4 would match up exactly where our previous engine had been--and that's not a good assumption. We need to move the engine back about an inch to mount it and we're already jammed right to the coupler on the propeller shaft.
I realize that when we are talking about the coupler and propeller shaft that we're entering into the domain of the Catalina 27--but i can see from the knowledgable posts here that many of you know this subject inside and out--and we're definitely needing expert advice. So here are my questions (and where I'll also display my ignorance):
1. Is there any length adjustment available in the coupling setup?
2. Can we make a small length adjustment by pulling the prop out in the water a small amount? If so, does this create additional problems (like maybe sinking our boat?
3. If we cannot adjust the shaft out, can we mount the engine without using the existing mounting bolts? Currently, the mounting holes in the A4 oil pan are not over anything but air and we'd have to construct a support for mounting.
4. What service do we need to perform for the coupling and stuffing box? We'll definitely need some PB blaster and a wire brush to get access to anything there.
5. Can we do what needs to be done ourselves, or do we need some expert help with this? And if so, who is our best source for information on addressing this--without a haulout or other too-expensive options for us?
Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated--even if it's to point out something we shoulda and coulda thought of or done but didn't! we'll follow this forum but would also welcome any private advice or suggestions or possibly a local in our Oceanside, CA harbor area (really, anywhere in SD or Orange County). Feel free to call Dan at 760-208-4717 or danmanakers@gmail.com.
Needing some expert wisdom and advice from some of you who may have encountered this problem--or were smart enough not to! First off, let me confess to being a real newbie and probably in way over my head at this point.
My co-owner Tom and I have purchased a good running A4 late model from a post on this forum. We've removed the old dead A4 (early model) from our 1972 vintage Catalina 27 and wrestled our "new" A4 into place (hereafter just called new motor)--and here is where we're facing problems. I'm posting a couple pictures to show the issue. Note that the pictures show the engine on a big slant--which it still is-being slid into place on a couple wood blocks. It will line up much better--but it will be longer than previous motor.
Basically, we are sliding the new motor into place and need to move it back another inch to mate up with the mounting bolts--and we're jammed up to the shaft coupler already. Our assumption had been that the new A4 would match up exactly where our previous engine had been--and that's not a good assumption. We need to move the engine back about an inch to mount it and we're already jammed right to the coupler on the propeller shaft.
I realize that when we are talking about the coupler and propeller shaft that we're entering into the domain of the Catalina 27--but i can see from the knowledgable posts here that many of you know this subject inside and out--and we're definitely needing expert advice. So here are my questions (and where I'll also display my ignorance):
1. Is there any length adjustment available in the coupling setup?
2. Can we make a small length adjustment by pulling the prop out in the water a small amount? If so, does this create additional problems (like maybe sinking our boat?
3. If we cannot adjust the shaft out, can we mount the engine without using the existing mounting bolts? Currently, the mounting holes in the A4 oil pan are not over anything but air and we'd have to construct a support for mounting.
4. What service do we need to perform for the coupling and stuffing box? We'll definitely need some PB blaster and a wire brush to get access to anything there.
5. Can we do what needs to be done ourselves, or do we need some expert help with this? And if so, who is our best source for information on addressing this--without a haulout or other too-expensive options for us?
Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated--even if it's to point out something we shoulda and coulda thought of or done but didn't! we'll follow this forum but would also welcome any private advice or suggestions or possibly a local in our Oceanside, CA harbor area (really, anywhere in SD or Orange County). Feel free to call Dan at 760-208-4717 or danmanakers@gmail.com.
Comment