engine and altenator brackets

[lynn]

We bought a 3000 scr at the beginning of summer. It's really been a fun boat. I do have a question for other owners of this boat. It seems the brackets that hold the altenator in place are either bent or cracked. We have had to replace all the brackets. The brackets bend and the pulleys go out of alignment and serpentine belts shred and come off. It happened on one engine and one month later same thing on second engine.
Both water pumps were replaced too. Has anyone else had this issue? Both engines have about 290 hours on them.
Lynn

[Kevlar7r]

I have heard about it. The brackets are very weak steel bars, and its easy to bend them if the belt is over tightened.



I understand the newer brackets are better designed.

[mmwjr]

When I bought my 2400 the raw water pump bracket was bent.

As said over tightening the belt can cause this.

[capn_billl]

Now might be a good time to ask, how much to tighten belts?

[mmwjr]

I don't recall its in the merc manual and same deflection as in an auto application. This manual star wheel adjuster is back from the introduction of serpentine belt.

[TKDfun4u]

With out seeing them, or more feeling them it would be hard to explain. If they are too loose they will slip and probly make noise. Most people over tighten belts. Side from the bending of brackets, it also causes premature failure of bearings and related items. You can always tighten them more if they are too loose and slipping. Error on caution side