Serpentine belt aligment?

Hi
I just read some of the archived posts regarding the pulley alignment probs on the 350MPI. Is there a simple way to align the alternator pulley rather than taking the boat back to the dealer? I have rubber residue all over the place, and my belt was starting to come apart when I checked it last weekend. Out of 6 grooves on the belt, I have only 5 left. . I bought a new Gatorback belt for it P/N 6PK2240, and was wondering if anyone has fixed the alignment problem themselves... My boat only has like 30 hours on it so far.

This may help, in general, if the pulleys are fine, it's a matter ofo shimming the pulleys until they are aligned.

http://www.sterndrives.com/bulletins/bulletins.html

thanks Matt...

well, for whoever is interested, I have the detailed service bulletin for your reading pleasure... it tells how to check and fix your mis-aligned alternator (for no more shredding of the belts). Email me: rschultz@teleydne.com if you want a copy.

Rich the email adress keeps coming back as server not found please send it to me.

oops........ my bad.
Email: rschultz@teledyne.com
Sorry I had butter fingers yesterday. Last nite, I checked my alternator pulley for parellel alignment to the crank pulley. Wayyyyyyy off. It was forcing the belt to run against one edge of the alt. pulley which after a short time causes the famous shredding situation of the belt. Simple fix, as the service bulletin says, install custom high dollar Mercruiser shim part (aka: cheap 'ol plain flat washer) in between lower alternator bracket and the alternator itself which kicks the bottom of the alternator downward, and aligns the pulley to be parellel with all the other pulleys. I'll test this out this weekend... I cleaned all the rubber dust residue from my motor and inside the engine cover, and will see how it works out.

Rich,

Thanks for Gatorback belt tip & P/N! I changed out the belt on my 02 Calabria with a 350 MPI. What a difference! Also, I received the bulletin.

Thanks!

Chris