Ideas for alternate engine alignment tool.

[LouDoo]

I've been thinking about this, most of us will need an alignment tool maybe every 4 to 5 years. It doesn't make a lot of sense to buy the tool. I've come up with an alternate way of aligning the engine to the pump. The idea I have is to use your pump as part of the alignment tool.

You would need to either use an old pump or remove the impeller shaft and then remount the pump without the drive shaft. This is the kicker you would need to use a straight piece of pipe the same diameter of the drive shaft. Then just align the motor to the pump just like you would with the alignment tool.

I've been told by a friend and an influential member of this forum that my idea would work. The problem is getting the piece of pipe machined or made so it is absolutely straight. If there is enough interest we might be able to make this work.

Lou

 

[Robj]

There were a few posts on this a while back. How Lou explains it is how I do it. I have a precision ground round bar, machined at one end to fit in the pto. I have one, but probably a bit too far away. Do a search you will find lots of info.

 

[68ragtop]

I'm with Lou, I bought the SBT tool last year, & it is very well made. After I did my first engine alignment with it, I decided to install the pump housing & then slid the SBT shaft through the housing to see how accurate that was. It was accurate, similar to the tool. However, I did notice there is a lot more play using the impeller housing because of bearing clearances. The bushings in the tool have very tight tolerances. much tighter than the bearings, & the shaft does not wiggle.

I think if someone made an alignment rod for use with the impeller housing, it would work well if it was cut down about .020 smaller than the diameter of the correct shaft size so it doesn't damage the pump seal as its slid past, Then cut maybe .001-.002 larger than the normal shaft size at the end so it actually fits tighter in the bearings of the drive. Of coarse it still needs the much smaller tip to slide into he PTO flywheel. Would be easy to make.

I have been watching for a 9-10" lathe to come up for sale in my area for about three months. I would like to find a 60's South Bend, or maybe a clausing or logan. If that happens soon, I'll be a guinea pig for the cause.

 

[donkey]

lou,im in,i could use an alignment tool.
i just havnt pulled the trigger for the 150 buks-ish

 

[Robj]

I'm with Lou, I bought the SBT tool last year, & it is very well made. After I did my first engine alignment with it, I decided to install the pump housing & then slid the SBT shaft through the housing to see how accurate that was. It was accurate, similar to the tool. However, I did notice there is a lot more play using the impeller housing because of bearing clearances. The bushings in the tool have very tight tolerances. much tighter than the bearings, & the shaft does not wiggle.

I think if someone made an alignment rod for use with the impeller housing, it would work well if it was cut down about .020 smaller than the diameter of the correct shaft size so it doesn't damage the pump seal as its slid past, Then cut maybe .001-.002 larger than the normal shaft size at the end so it actually fits tighter in the bearings of the drive. Of coarse it still needs the much smaller tip to slide into he PTO flywheel. Would be easy to make.

I have been watching for a 9-10" lathe to come up for sale in my area for about three months. I would like to find a 60's South Bend, or maybe a clausing or logan. If that happens soon, I'll be a guinea pig for the cause.

My guess us your SBT tool is not intended to be used with the pump. My home made shaft fits very tight, minimal play. Actually is more accurate than the SBT tool I compared it to.

 

[68ragtop]

If I remember correctly, the SBT shaft is cut to the same diameter as the Impeller shaft. Do you have your alignment tool handy? Can you stick a caliper on it? I would be interested in comparing. I'm not sure how a cut shaft in the housing could be more accurate than the SBT tool though. The tool is dead nuts IMO. At least the one I have is.

 

[68ragtop]

Just took a look, the SBT tool is .874" The impeller shaft is .876. So, your right the tool has a slightly smaller diameter.

 

[LouDoo]

This all sounds real good, I don't have the know how or the equipment to make the shaft, and I also don't have any idea of the cost. Might be no cheaper than just buying the alignment tool.

I've kinda hijacked this thread so I'm going to move to a new thread and let mfmeyer have his thread back, sorry.

Lou

 

[mfmeyer]

Loudoo,

I have the pump sitting on the bench and was trying to decide about taking it apart and doing it that way... as that was what it looked like they did in the service manual - I could not find any specs for making the alignment rod ... I have access to a lathe.

Robj - I read your comments another thread on alignment - do you happen to have the specs you used to make your alignment tool?

And I'll admit my lack of plumbing knowledge - what are the SS caps you bought from Lowes as mentioned in other post for fabricating your own shims? might you have a photo?

 

[LouDoo]

Hi,

Well, good to see you here, I thought I hijacked your thread. As I stated earlier I have little knowledge about machining, and I'm really just a shade tree mechanic. I think a good start would be to start with 68ragtop's dimensions or mic the drive shaft and the impeller shaft and start with those dimensions maybe just on short sections of stock.

Lou

 

[Robj]

Search "cave man engine alignment" that thread has all the details, including a picture and dimensions. Would post a link but don't know how with my phone.

 

[LouDoo]

Here's the link to the other thread.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...alignment&highlight=cave+man+engine+alignment

Lou