PeteL

If you are only doing the belts, you can get away without a flywheel lock, but if you are going for the WP, you have to remove the crank pulley and the rear belt covers. For that you would need the lock, or some other method of holding the engine at TDC. I think Haynes used a screwdriver (pretty ghetto)....but you gotta hold the flywheel in place. I ended up using a 4 foot steel pipe over my breaker bar to break the nut free. When it let go, it popped, and for a second, we thought we broke the breaker bar.

Mike C.

+1
If you only buy one special tool to do the timing belt, the flywheel lock would be it (although a special tool to tension the belt is also a contender).

Kevin Baker

I have fond memories of Pete's timing belt. That was pretty funny when the bolt finally gave. We were SURE we'd broken something. The working on these cars, and the friendships that come with that, are the BEST part of owning one.

82-T/A

Thanks guys... I ordered the "kit" last night. It included everything but the water pump... but i can probably get that seperately from 944Online.

I'm worried simply because I know it's a clearance motor, and I'm worried about what will happen if I have the belt off by a tooth or two. I've replaced the timing belt in a Volvo 240, but I don't think that was a clearance motor. I've rebuilt quite a few chevy motor... (well... I took them to the machine shop, had the bottom end re-assembled for me, and then bolted the heads on and all that stuff myself).

However, I CAN do a valve job myself.. (it's very easy) and if that's part of the learning process, then so be it.

I guess I can't really see spending $1200+ in labor costs, when that would pay for 1/2 the cost of the lift I want to install in my garage.



Thanks guys...

I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions when I get to that part.



Thanks!!!

Todd

Mike C.

If you can do a valve job, I'm sure you can do this. As long as you take care in lining up the timing marks per the book you should have no problem.

Trucho-951

You've got some really good advice/experience with Yummybud924's post #3. Remember, patience and white out are your friends. Also, did you order woodruff keys?