Rein:

The following is taken from Robert Hess's website for the A-4 engine. Robert is known as Canada's A-4 expert.

How do I align my engine?

Universal inboard marine engines should be installed so that the engine mounts are securely attached using the correct fasteners, aligned with the propeller shaft to a tolerance of .05 mm (.002 in) per inch of shaft flange diameter, measured at the engine and propeller shaft flange face, with the propeller shaft aligned and centred with the propeller shaft strut cutlass bearing and stern tube. During adjustment any flexible (ie rubber) engine mounts should be extended using pry bars or wedges to bring the engine into the same position it will be when the boat is under power at normal cruising speed. To determine engine mount deflection position under power, measure the position of the engine close to each mount with the engine stopped, and then measure it again under power (you can do this tied to the dock) using a dial gauge or fixed pointer. Excessive deflection of the engine under power may mean the engine mounts are loose or the flexible engine mount material is worn out.

When aligning the engine, adjust the alignment with the 2 rear engine mounts and 1 forward mount (for V drive engines adjust 1 rear engine mount and 2 forward mounts), leaving the 4th mount loose until the alignment is correct. Take up the clearance on the 4th mount with the lower adjusting nut or shims. Then tighten all 4 mount top nuts. This will prevent the engine block/pan from being twisted (and possibly cracked) during final tightening of the mount nuts. If the alignment changes when the top nuts are tightened, the 4th mount clearance was adjusted either too much or not enough. Engine mount deflection and engine alignment should be checked once per year, as well as whenever the boat has been lifted from the water, and mounts replaced or tightened and alignment adjusted as required. Always use "shakeproof" lock washers on engine mount nuts.

I hope this helps.

Steve.

P.S. For more information try: www3.telus.net/Atomic_4_Eng_Service/
or
www.moyermarine.com