re: Milano Water Pump & Timing Belt... AND zat tensioner

["Sedon, Doug (OD/ORS)" <sedond@domain.elided>]

hi scott, ewe said:
>..."When I removed the valve covers I found the both cam marks approximately
>1/8" off from the marks on the caps.  Reading the manual, I was under
>the impression that I could adjust the cams independent of the cam
>sprockets.  However, the sprocket is keyed to the cam and therefore
>can't be adjusted, which was confirmed by replies to my digest posting
>on the subject.  When reassembling, I was able to install the belt with
>all the markings lined up, so either the previous owner goofed up, or
>the belt had slipped.
>
>During all this I discovered that I had one of Zat's "Staybelt Manual
>Belt Tensioner," as illustrated on page 115 of Branden's "Owner's
>Bible."  I called Alfa Heaven and had them fax me the instructions for
>adjusting it.  The tensioner seems very simple, too simple?  I'm
>planning on keeping it installed instead of switching to the bi-metal,
>heat sensitive upgraded Alfa one.  Does anyone have any comments on
>this?  Is it OK to keep the totally manual tensioner?
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i'd suspect that the belt installed by the p.o. was installed correctly, and
that it had slipped - simply because it has a zat belt-tensioner.  as the timing
belt wears, it *will* stretch - if the tensioner can't automatically adjust to
compensate, it *will* slip.  i, for one, don't want to be bothered w/manual belt
adjustment, or even czeching of it, for that matter.

one person's opinion,

doug s.

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