I am in the final stages of my engine swap and I am stuck on the timing belt job. I have everything that I need to do front seals timing belt, waterpump, balance shaft belt, etc. but I am worried about just hoping in there and trying this, I have the haynes manual directions, and the clarks garage directions, but really I was wondering if anyone close by who has done this job before would be willing to help me out. Maybe make it into a Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio timing belt party? If not I just need some advice and some more simple walkthroughs, search is not working for me so I am stuck

 

What aspect of it are you "stuck" on? Getting the belt on or tensioned or what? There are many resources available to you here, on Clark's Garage, the Haynes manual (which admittedly skirts the issue by copping out and just saying "take it to a dealer", but does have some useful information), etc. Just ask and tap the power of the 'list.

 

Don't be afraid of it. After you jump in there you'll see that it's really pretty simple and straightforward.
Clarks garage has the best write up.

 

Hey man, I'm right down the road from you, and I've done the T-belt a couple times. Let me know if you want me to come over an help you out.

 

Awesome...some more guys from ky... when are we going for a nice drive? Well I'm in the same position as you on the timing belt job. I should have the parts in this week and I think i'm just going to jump in on the job. If all goes well and ur not done yet I will be happy to drive up there and help you out. I'm a little south of elizabethtown so not too far of a drive.

 

Ben, Sounds great, really I just need someone to motivate me to do it all right the first time, I just worked on it and pulled the timing belt and balance shaft belt, I will go out later tonight and get a pin holder tool so i can pull some of the tensioners, do I also need a gear puller tool?
I made sure to mark everything with nail polish

I'll PM you my cellphone number ben, you want to come over tommorrow?>

944freak- lets do a drive in a few weeks, I need to get the car put back together first, might get my yellow race car running strong later this week though, so we will see...

 

For the pin spanner, I was able to use a large pair of needle nose pliers bent at ninety degrees. The gear puller is also necessary if you are going to remove the balance shaft gear from the crankshaft. Your local auto parts store should have them ranging between $10 and $20.

 

Use the impact gun, to torque the balance shaft gears, without any spanner. Set the wrench to its highest torque setting- but you will only get about 50% or less- of what has been selected, because
the gear is not locked stationary.

Zach

 

I was intimidated by the over engineering and complexity, but after a few times I know it now like the back of my hand. Take your time and check and double check. I used the clarks garage writeup as well. What tensioning tool are you using? And yes you will need a gear puller for the crank gear so you can removed the B-S sprockets to get the rear timing cover off to replace the H2O pump. Attached is a graphic I was blessed enough to receive from SoCal Driver last time I did a belt job. It will allow you the freedom not to have to remove the BSB sprockets and rear timing cover next time you need a H2O replacment! Saves a gret deal on time and then no need for a pin spanner unless B-S seals become an issue.

Best to you!

 

Or, get the 1987 timing covers, and cut nothing. In fact- because of the bulky, spring-loaded self tensioner, the entire back of the rear cover is wide open. This means plenty of cooling for the always stretching, heated belts.

Zach

 

Hey Carl, I'm back in town now. Did you get it done yet?