Mercruiser 3 ltr Alternator Belt Replacement

[Bigplumbs]

Hello All

In my Fletcher 19 GTS Sports Cruiser I have the Mercruiser 3 ltr engine and the alternator belt needs replacing and of course the boat is on the water. I have watched several You Tube videos and can see how to do it but in the Fletcher access is not very good.

In some of the videos they show a scissor jack supporting the engine as you need to remove a bracket to get the belt on and off. In one video however this Jack is not shown. Getting a jack in on my boat will be a real pain

So to my question has anyone on here replaced said belt on a Fletcher 19 sports cruiser and if so how did you support your engine

Thanks

Dennis

 

[BruceK]

It's been a long time since I had a Merc 3 GL but one thing I am absolutely certain of even if my memory is shot, that I never needed to put a jack under the motor at anytime let alone changing belts.

 

[sogood]

I have a 5.7 Mercruiser in a 25' Wellcraft and while some bits are hard to get at, I can't see how you'd have to raise the engine just to change an alternator belt. I'm not familiar with your set up, but when I changed the belts on mine, it was just a case of slacking off a few bolts to loosen the alternator, likewise the power steering reservoir bolts to change the power steering belt. Pretty much the same set up as a car.
I'd be taking a much closer look if I were you.

 

[Mr Googler]

Ive watched the you tube videos.

The belt goes through the single front engine mount bracket in effect

https://youtu.be/RZRLq6OKeGA

On that one he just undoes the one engine support joining section alternator side. I would think that’s fine as it’s still supported on the other side. Wouldn’t be enough support when underway at sea of course but fine for changing a belt. Taking the pulley off makes sense too.

 

[Bigplumbs]

From watching the videos I am not sure if the jack used is to simply support the engine while you remove the engine joiner bracket or if it is to raise it a little to make the gap bigger at the pully to get the old belt off and new belt in. If this is the case I think I will elect to just remove the pulley

Dennis