82-T/A

Hey guys,

I know I mentioned this breifly in the "Oh the Horror..." thread... but I thought I'd ask the entire list, just in case there was an alternative. I understand the improved sound and quietness of having a timing belt VS a chain or direct gears, but... does ANYONE know of a timing CHAIN conversion kit?

I would really rather just install a chain and be done with it.



Thanks...

Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convt. (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

35thSLP

The biggest problem with converting to a gear or chain system is lubrication and how to contain it outside the engine.

Mongo

If we are having problems with balance shaft seal, camshaft seal, and crankshaft seal leaks, imagine having to tear that 'new' timing chain conversion compartment up to access those seals. It's more of a headache than it sounds. Not to mention, the timing chain compartment would have to be kept well lubricated all the time.

fpena944

Even a small electric pump could provide sufficient lubrication for the chain, don't you think? It's not like a chainsaw that needs a lot of oil to work.

Mongo

What about tension on the chain too? A manual tensioner may not be as reliable as a pressure-fed hydraulic one.

Darwantae951

What's the point? The belts work just fine and are a helluva lot less headache. Porsche chose belts for a reason.

-Darwin

Rock

Belts are the way to go.

If you think about it, if theyre treated properly theyre pretty damn reliable too.

If you replace them at regular intervals, and keep proper tension on them, then they should be fine!

The problems start when people dont replace rollers, tensioners, or the belt itself and stuff starts to screw up.

yellowline

Buying a P9201 is the solution to all problems belt-related, unless you didn't have your car serviced and your engine just paid the ultimate price. If you're in it for the long haul, $500+parts for unlimited belt changes and adjustments is not a bad deal, not at all.

If I hear a funny sound, I just wait a day, pop the covers, and snap the 9201 on to see what's up. The convenience is unbeatable.

Calmchaos

If the balance/crank shaft seal leaks it will lube the chain!

Yummybud924

lol yeah a waste of money. If you just maintaint the timing belt it is fine. If it wasn't fine there wouldn't be many 944s running after 20+ years and we all know not all 944 drivers are rennlist members that change their belts and rollers and water pumps every 3 years.... a lot of people are propbably driving their 944s until their belt breaks one day and then they'll say it was a bad design..

well there are a few people that did change their belts and still got early failures but I don't think it's that common.

Techno Duck

I think it would be potentially cheaper / easier to modify the pistons so to make the engine non-interference. Danno was working on modifying the pistons and i believe a one or two other people expanded on it and actually had it working. As i remember the difference in compression i think was .1

So if you want to not worry about belts anymore..maybe this is a easier way to go.

Rock

I really think going out of the way to make the engine non interference and change it into a timing chain, are all just solutions to a problem that is really infact non existant.

So many people on rennlist are trained to fear the timing belt. Once you actually get in there and do it, its not that bad.

Actually, id rather have my timing belt go and repair it, than make my engine non interference or convert it to a timing chain.


It would be such a pain in the *** to make your engine non interference. Why not just do everything right the first time and have it good for miles without worrying?

Its like driving your car for like 20,000 miles without changing or checking the oil. When the thing takes a huge dump, are we going to start threads saying how engines shouldnt run on oil, and try to think of 5 different ways that we can change the engine so it can run on the same oil for 50,000 miles?

Team SSR

If you really wanted to make the timing belt system stronger you would only need to employ a wider belt (along with the associated pulleys and idlers, etc.)

marky522

Like i said in the earlier post, you cant use a chain setup on this engine because of expansion, the belt has strech, a chain doesnt its as simple as that.

Mark

82-T/A

That's the thing... I always do maintenance, wax my cars, and use quality parts. I don't abuse my car by hitting things, nailing curbs, or running through bushes or something silly like that, but I will say this... I beat the living crap out of my cars on a regular basis. I come within 10rpms shy of my rev-limiter in the Solstice at least 2-3 times going to work (each direction). If I take the Crown Victoria, I occasionally like to just lay into the gas pedal and scald that rear-right tire to within an inch of it's life. (I haven't installed my Trak-Loc yet...). I REALLY get off on driving my cars hard...

With all the comments, and... seeing as how the past 10 Porsche 944s I've seen in the junkyard all had snapped belts... I just really get the feeling like these cars are dainty and not up to the abuse I plan to dish out.

I'm not a total lunatic, but I do want a car that can take it when I dish it out. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I just don't like feeling that maybe I'm walking on egg-shells. I really REALLY like everything about this car... every aspect of it... except the timing belts.


Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convt. (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter