Balmar Alternator Drift Bushing

[zboss]

I'm switching out my Balmar Alternator from my old westerbeke to my new beta marine.

Both use the saddle mount style.

What is different is that the drift bushing on the balmar alternator is shifted to the inside (towards the saddle) so it sticks out on the internal end but not the external end at all. I didn't install it originally so I can't say if the installer did this or if the alternator came like that.

Can I just adjust the bushing by pushing it back out so it fits the saddle properly?

[andrzej0nl1ne]

Yes, it's a tight squeeze.

[NYSail]

Yes..... whatever it takes to fit is good.

[Jerry Woodward]

I just installed a Balmar on my Yanmar 2GM20F. You want to push the bushing out enough to slide the alternator over the bracket on the engine. Then when you tighten the bolt, the bushing will be pushed tight against the engine bracket and still protrude slightly beyond the alternator tab so the bolt is contacting the bushing, not the alternator. Mainsail has a good description of this on his site: https://marinehowto.com/marine-alter...n-tips-tricks/

[zboss]

Thanks for the advise... I read mainsails article and the only thing I didn't see mentioned was if that drift bushing was pressed in or free floating. I was afraid to hit it and bend it if it were pressed in. Turns out its a tight fit but it is free to move forward or backward.

I also tried to install the Balmar UBB (Belt Buddy) and it does not work with the Beta Marine 43 and a Balmar AT 165 because of a clearance issue. I've written mainesail to ask for advise. Maybe he has some tricks up his sleeve.

[Jerry Woodward]

Originally Posted by zboss

Thanks for the advise... I read mainsails article and the only thing I didn't see mentioned was if that drift bushing was pressed in or free floating. I was afraid to hit it and bend it if it were pressed in. Turns out its a tight fit but it is free to move forward or backward.

Thus the name, drift bushing.