Ignore the shaft coloring. The o rings are not heat distorted, are
they? The alignment tool binds because you need to jack the engine.
Go for it. Remember there is a preferred shaft grease.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

No, the o-rings are fine. Thanks for the tip.

I'll adjust the engine height as soon as this crappy weather in the
Northeast lets up.

Thanks,
John C.