Would you use this coupler?.....

[gcarter]

Sorry for the poor quality photo folks, but this stuff is hard to do.
But....I recently purchased this Bravo coupler. The description stated it had about 100 hours on it. Well, I finally had a chance to look at it today, and if the hours are true, it was badly aligned.
So, if you can descipher the photo, there is an appreciable amount of wear to the spline tooth sides towards the aft (near) end of the coupler. I'm only producing about 350 HP (on a good day), so.....How concerned should I be?

[Cuda]

I can't really tell by the picture, but I DO know that couplers are cheap, compared to the work of pulling an engine, or worse yet, having to buy a new drive shaft.

[harbormaster]

As long as the ends of the teeth are flat and not sharp, you will probably be OK. Couplers are about 350 to 400 bucks. Pulling an engine and reinstalling it down here costs 600 bucks.

[Cuda]

As long as the ends of the teeth are flat and not sharp, you will probably be OK. Couplers are about 350 to 400 bucks. Pulling an engine and reinstalling it down here costs 600 bucks.
Plus you're still out the cost of a coupler if this one shts the bed. :(

[gcarter]

I feel relatively confident with it. I think at worst it might rattle a bit.
As for cost of labor......you know who does that!!!:wrench: :wrench: :biggrin.:

[Mr X]

The teeth tell you nothing. The rubber around the insert could let go at any time if it was not aligned properly. As hard as it is to replace, I would not use ANYTHING but a brand new one out of the box.

[joseph m. hahnl]

I feel relatively confident with it. I think at worst it might rattle a bit.
As for cost of labor......you know who does that!!!:wrench: :wrench: :biggrin.:

George :make sure it slides on and off the shaft without binding before you install it.:smash:





joe

[MOP]

It is hard to see much in that shot but it looks like it still had plenty of spline left, it has to be way stronger than the Alpha it is replacing. I bet it is rated at 1/3 more torque and HP I would no sweat it, I bet it fits that tight assed spline on the drive pretty decent..

Phil

[BUIZILLA]

It's hard to argue with Ted's logic.....

JH

[Cuda]

It's hard to argue with Ted's logic.....
JH
I agree. There's no warning signs before they just let go. Then that smell of burning rubber........................ :(

[roadtrip se]

I wouldn't...

[LKSD]

I would not. Its llike reusing a clutch in a car.. Jamie

[Speed-Racer]

Speaking from experience...always go with a new part, especially for something as important as what your drive shaft sits in!!

[onesubdrvr]

When I replaced the engine in my Ragazza, I re-used the coupler from the original engine.

When I lost my drive, I lost my engine coupling too, AND, there was no alignment issues.

I would replace it.

Wayne

[CrackerJack]

NO, NO, NO NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[gcarter]

Hey, wait a minute......
Does this mean the engine's outta the Minx???
Yep, on the way back to the ramp after dropping off Last Tango's Porsche buddies, the original Alpha coupler let go. At about 2500 RPM it would start shuddering so we made it back to Leesburg at about 25 MPH.
Besides the bilge was a mess after the filter incident.
Gonna do some wiring mods, optimize some of the grounds, change some senders, clean the engine thoroughly, etc......................oh yeah, and move the oil filter manifold.

[Cuda]

Hey, wait a minute......
Does this mean the engine's outta the Minx???
And no, I would not use a used coupler.... ever....
He's got to re-engineer it for a third oil filter.

[MOP]

:cistineb:

[gcarter]

do you like this one better?

[CrackerJack]

Try it on the outdrive before you install the engine.

[gcarter]

Thanks Scott for all your help!!

[BUIZILLA]

So,is it back together yet?? :D :Dno, the engine won't fit with the third oil filter in place....:biggrin.:

JH

[gcarter]

Coupler's on the flywheel. Waiting on a cover. The seller sent another Alpha by mistake.:bonk:
Wiring mods coming along well, probably finish today. Still gotta re-paint the engine bay and clean the engine, change anodes, finish re-doing grounds etc.:smash:

:wavey:

[gcarter]

no, the engine won't fit with the third oil filter in place....:biggrin.:
JH
I've been thinking three's not enough......maybe four!:jestera:

[BUIZILLA]

I've been thinking three's not enough......maybe four!:jestera:why don't you just add another external oil pump while your at it...

backup's, backup's, backup's.... :garfield:

JH

[gcarter]

why don't you just add another external oil pump while your at it...
backup's, backup's, backup's.... :garfield:
JH
Good idea...an electric oil pump to go with my electric circ pump!!!:rlol:

[Cuda]

You should take the fuel tank back out, replace it with one half the size, then use the extra space for a giant oil filter, and tank.

[gcarter]

You should take the fuel tank back out, replace it with one half the size, then use the extra space for a giant oil filter, and tank.
Maybe a dry sump system?