BELT TIGHTENING

[Adk1]

1991 Mercruiser 4.3L..Is this an easy task or not? Belt wining when I start up the nstops shortly after

[hammer's down]

I have a 4.3 OMC and not being mechanically inclined, had no problem replacing and tightening the belt.

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[Fish Hunter]

Ain't nuttin' to it.

[Adk1]

How do u tighten it. I checked the belt out looks to be in good shape. Ran it all summer with no issues. It wasn't till the last few times out in September that it would start squealing on my when starting up at high rpms

[joe crow]

It should be were your alternater is loosen it pull it till it's tight

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[Adk1]

Ok been looking at a few youtube videos, seems simple enough

[lakebound88]

Does that particular motor have two belts?

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[Adk1]

It might, will get her uncovered this weekend

[lakebound88]

If so, there is also an adjustment on the power steering pump as well.

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[landingzone]

FWIW, I just replaced the alternator on one of my 4.3 liters.  The belt looked pretty good, but I got to thinking that carrying a spare belt would be cheap insurance for the $20 cost.  I had done this on earlier boats but not gotten around to it on this one.  Just a thought.  BTW, the belt tightening on these engines is very easy as others have mentioned.

[jimski2]

Old V belts become glazed and slip a lot. A new belt needs to be retightened after an hour of running since they stretch after installation.

Edited May 9, 2014 by jimski2