homemade engine alignment tool

[yelloseadoo]

Got my engine in, and called our "local" Sea-Doo shop (70 miles away)on Tuesday, July 5, and was told that I'd have to wait at least 6 weeks because they were backed up, so I asked for the "service manager, so maybe I could "rent" a tool there, and was told that he was off that day. (Maybe why they were so "backed up"). I decided to make my own tool. Had an old pump lying around so I took the bearings and seal out, and called the parts dept. at PPG, and had them to measure the diameter of the pto end of their "in shop" alignment tool. Went to a local machine shop and took my pump body with me. They measured the bore of the pump and found that with a slight hone, that a piece of 1 1/8 cold rolled steel bar was exactly the right size to slide into the pump body. They turned down one end to .713" (about 2") and I had myself an alignment tool. Cost a grand total of $31.30, including sales tax..... Fred

[Technical Support]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

That's really no better than nothing at all. There is absolutely no room for error on the shaft, any deflection anywhere on the shaft throws it out, and using a honed pump is NOT an accurate way of gauging the shaft. It takes a VERY finely machined pump plate, which the kit comes with.

You'll get it close I'm sure, but not properly alined.

[yelloseadoo]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

the honing was ONLY to remove a slight "burr" that I enduced when removing the bearings....shouldn't be a problem there with the proper bearing removal tool.....the honing was only on about 1/4 " on the inside of the "outer" bearing end of the pump...the shaft fit tightly into the untouched pump down until it hit the burr....

[kscycler]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

I had a similar problem, so I went to my local dealer. He said, "Ah, don't worry about it. As long as it's not really out of line, we don't use it. As a matter of fact, we've never used it." I guess that's why they just got sold. Makes you wonder...

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

The orginal Bombardier pump alignment tool was an unfinished aluminum pump housing with a brass insert put into the pump assembly through the same hole as the original impellor shaft, and a steel rod that fit the bushing. Pretty much the same as what you had built.

I bought mine from Sea Doo in 1990. It still works great.

[Technical Support]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

As long as the rod is true (which bar stock is not), and the bushing is there, that's another story.

[yelloseadoo]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

I guess , since you're also a machinist, you would know better about cold roll steel being true than the 78 yr. old man who's been a tool builder for most of his life. Fact is , he tested the steel on a lathe at the beginning of this project.
I'm sorry if you think I've stepped on your toes here, but a lot of us operators are on a low budget, and can't afford to pay $75 plus shipping 2 ways to rent a tool just to get our engines aligned. As far as saying that what I've done was no better than nothing at all, go blow smoke up someone else'a arse. I AIN'T buyin' it !
AS a matter of fact, I'd be willing to make a bet with you that my tool will work just as good as yours....at 20% of the price.....

[Technical Support]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

If it were that easy to make such a tool, we would have done ours that way. We know from experience what it takes to get these things to precisely align each and every time. You are of course free to do whatever you want, it's your ski, your money. But since you have not used the proper tool, your assumption that it is just as accurate is only that - an assumption. It would be EXTREMELY lucky if all your numbers were on the money. I would take you up on the bet if you were here to prove it :)

[radiocontrolhead]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

this is real good.

great debate.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

It ain't rocket science. If the tool is accurate, then the alignment will be accurate.

That old guy tool builder just might know what he is talking about. More power to him.

[george]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

If you rotate the shaft while doing the alignment, if the shaft isn't true that will show up immediately. The only real issue is whether it is square through the pump.

[jwood]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

I wouldn't be scared at all of yellowseadoo's alignment tool. In fact, I have used one very similar with great results and hours and hours of trouble free operation.

[yelloseadoo]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

Thanks, guys, for backing me up here....I guess some West Coast people think that us MISSIPPI' folks jus' kaint do much right !:emoticont

[Arctic388]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

isnt it the whole purpose of Alinging the pump and motor. then if the mock pump housing is on flush and the rod is true which the lathe would show instantly then after a few rpm's to check for trueness it will be greeeaattt !

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: homemade engine alignment tool

Westcoast guy? Hey, I backed you up and I'm from California !