340 Drive Train, Part 2

[firecadet613]

It did indeed suck, but I learned more about my boat which I hope makes me a better owner. And I have peace of mind about the drive train now. Three days after I wrapped up all the work, we headed out for a 1 week 300 mile cruise in our San Juan Islands and it was great.

Yes there was a slight vibration. I will plead ignorance, since it was there when I bought the boat. I came from outdrives and did not know what to expect. In hindsight, I would have better off to have taken another owner of a similarly set up boat out for a spin to compare notes. Never trust surveyors and sales folks...

If you are fortunate, and for you it really is just the shaft, you can have a local shop that correct a bent shaft. Its a pretty easy fix.
Check the cutlass before you pull the shaft.
While the boat is out, you should check the struts for a bend condition (draw a horizontal line across the center line of the shaft opening; measure from one end of the line up to the opposite side edge of the flat plate of the strut. Then do the opposite side. These two lengths should be very close).
Also you should replace the lip of the shaft seal. $50 item and cheap insurance.
Consider how long ago the props were trued. To pull the shaft out and clear the rudder, the prop has to come off anyway. I would consider pulling both props and having the shop check both sides and both shafts. Will add a few more dollars, but won't add time.
And when you put the shaft(s) back in, you will need to realign the engine/tranny in steps. First one on land, and the second a few days after the boat is back in the water (hull geometry settles in the water). There are good videos on youtube about ski-boat alignment to the shafts and the process is the same for our boats.

Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps!

It definitely does! Like you, this is my first inboard boat - after having 5 with I/Os. Definitely a learning curve on the switch from I/O's to inboards. I'm not getting a vibration but a wobble from the shaft where it enters the boat (most likely wobbled when we bought it - just over a year ago).

Now it's time to diagnose and get it taken care of properly. Props were brand new, right before I bought the boat. He said he tweaked a prop (most likely causing the bent shaft - if that's what it is) but repropped to help offset the big dinghy he had on the stern. I've spent a lot of time reading on here and some YouTube videos.

I have the Tides Shaft Seals installed already and could probably get away with just the seal but since it has been wobbling for who knows how long, I'll put a new assembly on with a spare seal as well. $300 is cheap when we regularly cruise miles off shore!

 

[Tacoma290]

It definitely does! Like you, this is my first inboard boat - after having 5 with I/Os. Definitely a learning curve on the switch from I/O's to inboards. I'm not getting a vibration but a wobble from the shaft where it enters the boat (most likely wobbled when we bought it - just over a year ago).

Now it's time to diagnose and get it taken care of properly. Props were brand new, right before I bought the boat. He said he tweaked a prop (most likely causing the bent shaft - if that's what it is) but repropped to help offset the big dinghy he had on the stern. I've spent a lot of time reading on here and some YouTube videos.

I have the Tides Shaft Seals installed already and could probably get away with just the seal but since it has been wobbling for who knows how long, I'll put a new assembly on with a spare seal as well. $300 is cheap when we regularly cruise miles off shore!

Sounds like a solid plan, fc! Just check everything while it is out. You will thank yourself later that you were so anal retentive going over the drive train now. Trust me.
Regarding the shaft seals. Yes, I have those too. When you install the shaft, don't have the Sureseal attached to the shaft log. As in not even friction set. The black plastic face cap is way too easy to crack (sadly, I have the voice of experience). Once the shaft is on the coupling, then you can slide the shaft back onto the shaft log.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.