Shaft alignment R&D coupling and technodrive gearbox

[GHA]

The R & D flexable shaft coupling

datasheet says this..

Installation Procedure for R & D Flexible Couplings
1. Roughly align engine and stern gear without flexible coupling i.e. only two rigid half couplings pushed together.
2. Bolt 'R&D Marine' coupling between the two rigid couplings. Tightening details as below.
3. Check alignment of engine by placing feeler gauges between the RED CONE HEADED BOLT and the rigid half coupling. Repeat for the SAME bolt at 90° intervals by rotating the shaft.
4. If the gap is the same in all four positions, the engine is accurately aligned. Recommended minimum to maximum gap difference: 0.25mm 0.010"
5. Run installation to bring engine compartment to working temperature. Re-check torque settings.

Which ain't easy with the technodrive gearbox as there is no continuous flange . So what to do, is it OK to turn it round and use the gap between the R&D and the shaft coupling ?

This must be a common install, how does everyone else measure for the alignment?

 

[scottie]

Line it up without the R&D

 

[alahol2]

Yes, I measured the gap between the shaft coupling and the R&D when I installed. All seemed to work OK. I re-check every winter.

 

[theoldsalt]

Scottie is correct. The alignment should be checked between the gearbox and shaft coupling flanges - not the R&D.

 

[Tranona]

Scottie is correct. The alignment should be checked between the gearbox and shaft coupling flanges - not the R&D.

Not always possible to do that as there is not usually enough exposed shaft to pull it forward without taking the prop off. If the prop is off then not a problem.

 

[GHA]

Scottie is correct. The alignment should be checked between the gearbox and shaft coupling flanges - not the R&D.

So the manufacturers have got it wrong? Line it up, then change it??

1. Roughly align engine and stern gear without flexible coupling i.e. only two rigid half couplings pushed together.
2. Bolt 'R&D Marine' coupling between the two rigid couplings. Tightening details as below.
3. Check alignment of engine by placing feeler gauges between the RED CONE HEADED BOLT and the rigid half coupling. Repeat for the SAME bolt at 90° intervals by rotating the shaft.

Think I'll give alahol2 method a try , Ta

 

[theoldsalt]

Not always possible to do that as there is not usually enough exposed shaft to pull it forward without taking the prop off. If the prop is off then not a problem.

A rigid/solid spacer (a block of aluminium or steel) is often used in place of the flexible coupling.