Timing belt installation (was Piston - valve kissing)

[Hirsch <Catenary@domain.elided>]

Hi Michael,

You probably didn't do this, but it is possible to follow the
tensioner installation directions and end up with loose a
timing belt. So, I thought this should be posted.

I helped a friend install a timing belt and set up the tensioner
recently. We following the instructions as closely as possible.
As specified in the installation instructions, we rotated the
engine 4 revolutions CW, but did so using the cam turning tool
acting on the left cam. This was wrong. It isn't stated in the
installation instructions, but to seat the belt, the engine must
be rotated by applying torque to the crankshaft, not a cam. (This
can be done by pushing the car forward in 4th gear, wrenching on
crank pulley nut, or by jacking up the left rear wheel and
rotating that wheel in CW direction).

When we incorrectly used the cam turning tool acting on the cam
to rotate the engine and set the tensioner so marks were aligned,
the belt was too loose and jumped notches fairly easily.

Thanks to Fred Di Matteo and John Katos who pointed out our error.

Regards,

Rich
'87 Milano
'78 Spider
'67 Duetto
'66 Sprint GTV
Editor, i Saluti, St Louis AROC
Website: http://www.catenary.com/victor/isaluti

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