I have installed a PSS seal with new shaft and coupler and it is in and "up against" the tranny coupler on the beta20 in a Catalina 30 (1982).
I previously "best aligned" the old shaft and coupler to hte tranny and marked the stringers...I did not have the (balls) to drill and mount the engine until hte new shaft and PSS were in place...
TOday with the PSS and shaft in the shaft "sits on the stern tube" as the PSS doesnt support it upright like the old stuffing box did...
Questions: 1. Do I just put a wooden shim under the shaft to "bring it up to what I think is centre" of the stern tube and continue with the alignment / mounting of engine ...
2. Currently the flexible coupler will not fit unless I move the engine forward more and mount it there... is the flexible coupler "mandatory" or would anyone recommend not using one...
3. There is a "brass ring" within my coupler which is supposed to "go inside" the concave portion of the tranny coupler ..should this be done / for alignment first...then set the engine stingers / nuts and pull it back to put in the flexible coupler if it is used...
4. Prior to the engine going down into the space I placed a (straight) 2x4 across teh stringers and learned that the port stirnger appears to be 1/4+ " lower than the other side.. as the engine mount threads are "not even" side to side for how it is sititng....IS this usual ...or is it a big deal if the threads / mounts are not even on each side?? I am not sure but this could possibly be if the boat is not level on its stands as it is on the hard which means it will all be messed up when it is in the water???
A few quesitons but any advice appreciated... Thx Jamie
I am interested in your conversation with alteredcourse 30 as I installed a Beta 20 in my 1984 Catalina 30 with no issues regarding the dripless coupling. Thanks.
Alteredcourse30 had such abroad range of questions that I felt it would be better to speak one to one with him.
I should have gone back to the forum and summarized our conversation for the group.
As I recall...
1) Shaft placement... He was right on regarding the positioning of the shaft in the tube at center then checking for an easy turn in the Cut Less bearing and proper prop location F&A.
I do not remember that the dripless seal was an issue. The question centered more around shaft placement to allow the rotor and bellows of the shaft seal to align properly.
2) The flexible coupling is not mandatory but is a good idea. It softens the shift, will provide a quieter installation and isolates the shaft from the engine.
It should not be used as a remedy for missalignment of the output flange and shaft coupling.
3) I am a bit fuzzy about the brass ring. I believe it was a pilot ring that was used in the previous installation and was no longer required as the Beta engine comes complete with a new prop coupling and flex coupling.
4) The 1/4 inch difference in engine bed height port to stbd is not unusual. This is a lot better then some builders can manage. The flex mounts are adjustable about 1 inch vertically and can usually take up the difference.
It is better to end up somewhere in the middle of this range as it allows for future adjustment and gives better engine support.
This is the best that my recollection can manage regarding this post. I hope this answers your questions.
