xsboost90

i need to know which tension tool to buy, 20-50lbs or 50-150lbs?

pete944

I'd have to look at mine but you want the 20-50lb one.
The cambelt should be set at 35lbs and the balance belt at 28 lbs. IIRC the scale on mine starts at 30lbs. I always set my balance belt just under the 30lb. mark.
Before you remove the old belts practice with the Kricket alot until you get consistent results. Once you get a feel for it it's pretty accurate.
To do the timing belt you have to set the tension before you install the chrome water pump guide bar and the cam belt idler roller. They both will get in the way of the tool.

BruceWard

As far as I know there are three Krikit Models

KR0 0 - 40 pounds (cant find anyone selling it)
KR1 30 - 150 pounds (the one I bought)
KR2 150-300 pounds (the one not to buy)

I am workng on a comparison between Krikit and P9201 where I hope to determine the units used on the P9201 or atleast be able to come up with a conversion factor so that when the manual says 4.0 on the P9201 we will know that equates to exactly X pounds. Im looking for a local P9201 to compare with or I have been speaking to HMC International http://www.hmc-international.com/krikit.htm who are willing to do the comparison for us if anyone can loan them a P9201.

HMC also sells a tool called a Testifier for $13 + $7 shipping that has a range of 0 - 250 pounds. I am going to order a Testifier to see how it compares.

The KR1 is Gates part number 91107 I got mine from Orielly, and NAPA carries them as well. You may have to wait a few days for the order to come in, the price should be around $13. The NAPA part number is KR-1.

BruceWard

Oh please, share any info you have on a 20 - 50 pound range model, that would be the perfect device with all the necessary readings coming in the middle instead of the exremities.

pete944

That's the one I have...the KR-1. It was $9.80 plus tax from NAPA.
I did compare it to a 9201 last year at the 944 Fest. What we did was set the belt with the 9201 to 4.0 and then used the kricket to see what it would read. It was right at 35 lbs which is the value that Marcus Blasak says to set the belt to on his website. He uses the opti belt tool but I believe it's identical to the Kricket. Someone here found out that they're both made by the same company.

BruceWard

Pete, I guess you are the one that did the comparison with Scott Harrison. What did you get for balance belt numbers?

I believe I have read every post about the Krikit, Blazak (Optitek) and P9201 here, on Pelican Parts BBS and on 968.net and I found differing numbers from different comparisons.

I would like to come up with a easily repeatable test to compare the krikit vs 9201, to verify the accuracy of krikit similar to calibrating the 9201 and finally to allow the operator to practice until consistant results can be achieved.

A tool similar to the 9201 used on Lotus engines is calibrated using a 100 pound weight hung from an old belt that has been cut. We cannot use exactly the same method because the way the Krikit works the belt needs to be stretched between two points to measure the deflection. The 9201 and Lotus tool both attach to the belt and can measure the tension of a belt that is hung with a weight on the end. I believe a simple test can be devised by stretching a cut belt (the one being replaced) across two points with a known weight attached to the end of the belt. The test rig needs to be able to be built easily and cheaply but not interfere with the readings in any way.

Im working on a design and running it by some friends for checks on the physics. Once I have something which I expect to be a design almost everyone can build for $20 in 15 minutes then I will get a P9201 to compare against and publish my findings.

Thanks to everyone who has posted Krikit vs 9201 info in the past.

pete944

Yep that was me. I always use 28lbs. for the balance belt which is just below the 30lb. marking on the kricket. For whatever it's worth I used it on my old 85.5 944 and on the current S2 with no problems. The only concern with the Kricket is user error. If you don't use it exactly the same each time you can get different results. I usually check 5 or 6 times to make sure about the reading before I lock everything down.

xsboost90

thanks alot, im gonna return the one i bought and order a kr-1!

BruceWard

What is the range on the one you are returning?

User 41221

The P9201 is no different than the Kriket in that you can take ten measurements and get ten different readings, if you aren't careful. lol Once you've done it correctly a couple of times tho, it gets a LOT more consistent.

Hey Pete, are you practising up on your axe for this years 944Fest?

Regards,

Charlie944

What is the used or broken in Timing belt value for the KR-1?
And also is the 28lbs apply to the old 15mm Bal. belt or the updated 18mm
Bal. belt? I used the KR-1 on my first ever belt change and I ended up setting the Bal. belt too tight and wore out the tensioner for it. I borrowed a friends P9201, and I found out that with the tensioning being derived from an eccentric the tension is not applied in a linear fashion compared to the amount of (clockwise or counter-clockwise) motion...which brings forth a very large amount of change from a very little amount of eccentric motion...I kinda have my doubts if the KR-1 is precise enough for that.

Bruce Ward: Thank you for taking the initiative to get a comparison for the two, and thank you everyone else for your tests and information.

I hope that a definitive answer can be reached.

Best you all!

Mr. Avionics

Just a little input on the testing of tension tools. Working in the aviation industry I have a tension measuring tool for aircraft control cables, it's made by Pacific Scientific, if I remember, sells for about $750, and is used to measure the cable tension on round aircraft control cables. I has two blocks fixed to the frame and a spring loaded block, connected to the dial, that presses against the cable being checked. Manufactrues recommended method for calibration/checking is to suspend a weight of the desired tension from a length, 3 ft. min, of the cable diameter one wants to check. Take the reading on the suspended cable and thats it. If the theory follows thru, an old belt, cut and used to suspend a weight of the desired tension should also work properly for checking calibration of any tool being used. Tension doesn't care whether the belt is streight down or horizontal accross some pullys.
Just some thoughts, and you thought the 9201 was expensive!
Bill

BruceWard

Charlie, How many miles did it take to wear out the balance belt tensioner and how did you learn it was worn out?

Bill thanks for the suggestion. Both the Lotus (Burrows) and P9201 can be calibrated with a vertically hung cut belt with a weight on the end because they clip onto the belt. But the Krikit needs the belt accross some pulleys otherwise the belt will just swing when you try to check it.

Charlie944

Bruce, when I went in to retension at the 1500mile mark, I noticed the tensioner was more difficult to turn then when I had installed it. And I came to the conclusion that the belt "sing" is not the belts at all, it was the bearings in my tensioner screaming! I then bought a new tensioner, and used the P9201 to set it, and no singing...only when really cold out at start up for a few seconds. The tensioner was more difficult to rotate then the one that had been in there for 38k.