Belt broke!! Couple questions

[bpmcl00]

Hello,

i was out running my 4.3lx this weekend when i noticed 1 of my belts broke, i came to a stop and found it was the bigger toothed one that runs through the alternator. im in the process of replacing it but i have 2 questions.


1. do i need to retime the boat since it ran for a couple seconds without the belt?

2. does anyone know the code/ number for this boat, they told me to bring my old one into any auto store, but my old one has no markings

 

[searay3]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

1. No.
2. You can bring in the remnants. They need a width and length at the auto parts store to match up a belt. A little advise..don't skimp on the belt. You get what you pay for.

 

[mkast]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

The Mercruiser part number has the Gates belt part number at the back end of the Mercruiser part number.

 

[fyrfightr]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

1. No, the serpentine belt has nothing to do with timing.

2. The engine serial number (on spark arrest cover) should give parts person a way to look up proper belt.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

hey fyrfighter my motor doesnt use a serpentine belt system it has a dual belt setup. the main belt which has teeth is the one that broke, the other belt only turns the powersteering pump

 

[Maclin]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

None of the belts on a 4.3 can affect distributor timing. The distributor runs off of the cam which is driven by the crankshaft via the timing gears and chain, and all of this is behind the timing cover inside the block.

The "teeth" on the belt help it go around corners easier and bleed off heat.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

Since you will be replacing a belt..Replace em both and heres a cool tip..


Buy 2 spares and loop em behind the motor mount so that if one goes out on the water, you just pull it up and off ya go..assuming you have some tools onboard..

 

[Maclin]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

CBKev,

Is your suggestion for a V6/V8 block? Or the I4? I am trying to envision this for my 5.7 V8, seems like the balancer or pulleys or something would catch the belt eventually, not too many ways to keep it out of the way.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

Actually a tip I got when working on my old 165 straight 6..
I would think that they could lay low in the bilge area..

It may not be feasible in all apps maybe?

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

Actually a tip I got when working on my old 165 straight 6..
I would think that they could lay low in the bilge area..

It may not be feasible in all apps maybe?

Thanks for the tip!


Does anyone have their belts reference numbers avaliable???? i need to get new belts nad dont have a reference number to cross search.....


Any help is much appreciated . its both belts on mercruiser 1993 4.3lx

 

[Bob1958]

Re: Belt broke!! Couple questions

Do folks use active maintenance on the belts? Mine are 10 years old and show practically no signs of deterioration, but I've wondered if I should replace them anyway.