I was just looking into changing the timing belt on my 944. Its a 1983 with 118k miles and unfortunately, the service history is a bit shady and incomplete. Either way, I was wondering two things: 1) Should i replace just the belt, or buy a kit with the timing belt, balance shaft belt , tension rollers and idle rollers? 2) Does anyone around Williamsport PA or Syracuse NY have a belt tensioner and would like to help me change my belt? I'll be more than happy to offer some compensation whether it be some fine ale or some cash. Thanks

 

If there was no good history I would change the belts, rollers, and the waterpump but thats me

 

I was in the same boat as you, knew it should be done but didnt know what all to do or how to do it. Got to drive my car for less then 2 weeks and the water pump gave out on me, glad I didnt just replace just the belt to go thru it all over again! It also let me know I better change everything. the only thing Im not doing is seals, if they go I have time to get around to it. I picked up a timing/balance belt/roller set, a once used 920x kit and a rebuilt water pump all on ebay for a total of somewhere around $400. The shop wanted alittle over $1200 so there was my motivation.
as we speak Im taking a break, just got on the water pump and all the rollers/tensioners, now comes the fun part.
this is just to get it back on the road, I have another motor that Im going to rebuild and slap in latter.
Good luck, Jeremy

 

My son and I are getting ready to tackle a timing belt replacement on his '83. I can't find a tech article on how to do the replacement. Any pointers to some good instructions? We have the haynes manual, but that's it.

 

Great write-ups on this site:
http://www.clarks-garage.com/index.htm

 

+1

This is absolutely right. You have to know where you stand in the timing belt/water pump department.

 

Agree totally also. How close are you to York? Maybe we could do it one weekend.

 

You really have to get this done. I just bought a tensioning tool from Blaszak Precision Motorsport for 68 bucks and the belts from Paragon for a buck and a half if I recall. Its got to be the cheapest insurance you can buy.

 

I say go the whole hog on the "while you're in there" front. Do the belts, rollers, and water pump all in one go and you'll be set for a long time.

 

Does anyone near Austin, have the 944 tool set/tensioner that they would be willing to rent to me?

Thanks.

 

I also have another question... How tough is it to replace the seals on the front of the engine? The agreement seems to be that it's a "while you're in there" thing, but if the front of the engine is dry, should I change them?

Right now, the car doesn't drip, but I haven't taken the timing belt cover off to see how wet it really is....

 

yeah do the whole thing. you don't want to do it again in 2 months if it starts leaking.

it's easy once you already have teh belt / water pump off. For the cam and the rank, you just pull the old seals out then tap new ones in. you need something like a socket of similar size and a small hammer to tap them in.

For the crank seal make sure to remove the drive sleeve first, put the seal in then install the drive sleeve.

for the balance shafts you have to remove 3 bolts and romove the front metal housing to repalce the rear O rings too.

I also replaced the drive sleeve and the balance shaft bearing that rides the seal because I heard a grove in them can cause the new seal to leak.

 

Does the front engine reseal kit on Pelican cover it or are there some other seals "while you're in there"?

I'm going to be doing my belts / rollers / chain tensioner (16V) in March. My water pump was done about 20K miles ago so unless it's leaking or noisy I'm not going to mess with it.

 

Check with the vendor, but IIRC some front engine seal kits don't include the front crankshaft seal. When replacing the water pump, there's a gasket for it that's often missed in the kits also.

 

well I've got $600 in parts and tools headed my way... let the fun begin...